Lakers Rumors: Team a ‘Distant Third’ to Acquire Aldridge
The Lakers are reportedly interested in a high-level free agent. In other words, it’s another day ending in “y.”
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According to Ric Bucher on a clip for Bleacher Report, the Lakers might have a chance at bringing in the incredibly talented big man.
"“I’m hearing the possibility of the L.A. Lakers, although I believe that is a distant third at this point.”"
Bucher has the Lakers in that position behind the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, with the possibility that Aldridge simply re-signs in Portland as the overwhelming favorite in terms of odds heading into the summer.
Look, the Lakers have to at least show interest in all potential free agents, as the situation at each position is so dire. Yes, Aldridge plays the same position as returning prospect Julius Randle, and most draft experts have them selecting either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor (both big men) second on June 25; but I’m sure you’ve heard the cliché “beggars can’t be choosers.”
The Lakers are essentially holding a sign on the side of the NBA freeway saying something along the lines of “Please, please just come play here. It’s really not that bad.”
Would the fit be ideal? Nope. Though a coach with some imagination could make it work, at least for a while. Remember when the Lakers were contending for titles with that incredible frontcourt featuring Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and super-sub Lamar Odom? Something like that would work just fine with Aldridge assuming Pau’s role, Okafor as Bynum and Randle as Odom, at least until one of either Randle or Okafor grow out of their slightly limited role and at which point a trade could be made.
Now, is Byron Scott the type of coach who might make something like that work? That’s debatable, but the point is it could work. Or that the move wouldn’t be so illogical to ignore the possibility of Aldridge wanting to play in Los Angeles.
Again, the odds are not great, or even good, that Aldridge selects the Lakers over his childhood hometown of Dallas or Portland, his home since coming to the NBA. The Lakers should do their due diligence with looking into the possibility before moving on to a more likely target.
When rumors float out about this kinds of likelihoods, it’s not necessarily to tell fans that something will happen, but that the Lakers are keeping their options open, ready to make any move off the court and use whatever creativity they might have to so it works on it.
Oh, and those who keep implying the Lakers aren’t still a destination for guys like Aldridge are ignoring facts. The Lakers have been as dismal a team as any other these past couple seasons, yet rumors keep popping up about free agents’ interest in playing in those purple and gold jerseys. More than anything else, this should give fans some semblance of solace.