The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t get off on the right foot in free agency. However, it all would have been worth it if LaMarcus Aldridge would have signed with the Lakers.
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The Lakers had two shots at trying to convince Aldridge that Los Angeles was the best place for him. After not getting it right the first time, they got another opportunity with the All-Star, but the Spurs and Suns were still the leaders to land Aldridge.
On the day we celebrate this country’s independence, LaMarcus Aldridge put the Lakers out of their misery. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Aldridge has picked the Spurs as his home for the next four years:
Aldridge will sign a four-year, $80 million maximum contract with San Antonio, league source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2015
Not surprising, but definitely disappointing. While the Spurs have been the favorites since this process started, you still hoped Aldridge would have seen the Lakers as a possible destination. They are not ready to contend like the Spurs, but with him on board, Kupchak would have had an easier time trying to convince free agents to come to LA.
Now, the Lakers don’t have many options in free agency. This doesn’t mean it’s time to panic. Kupchak will have plenty of money to work with in 2016 and he must have confidence in this young core developing together. The Lakers have had two consecutive losing seasons, but what fans must understand is that rebuilding a contender takes time. Although we would all prefer a quick fix, it’s important to be patient.