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Could the Los Angeles Lakers acquire LaMarcus Aldridge?

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for a layup against LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game at Staples Center on February 4, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for a layup against LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game at Staples Center on February 4, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Another big name has hit the market in LaMarcus Aldridge and the Los Angeles Lakers, being in the situation that the team is in, are naturally mentioned with the possibility of Aldridge coming to LA being explored.

It was reported on Wednesday that Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs mutually agreed to part ways this season. Aldridge is on an expiring contract that pays him $24 million this season and the former All-NBA forward is averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

The Spurs are now exploring trades for Aldridge and the Lakers are almost undoubtedly going to make some sort of improvement at the deadline this season, especially with how much the Brooklyn Nets have improved over the course of the season.

However, while it is an intriguing idea, there is no real chance that LaMarcus Aldridge will wind up in the purple and gold this season.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers won’t acquire LaMarcus Aldridge:

1. LaMarcus Aldridge is not going to get bought out by the San Antonio Spurs

This is important. Blake Griffin was a possibility because he was bought out. Andre Drummond is a potential possibility because he could be bought out. I find it very hard-pressed that Aldridge gets bought out.

While Aldridge is in a similar camp to Griffin and Drummond in terms of his career status, his contract is much easier to acquire. It is an expiring, which Griffin’s was not, and it is much cheaper than Drummond’s.

$24 million is still a big contract but it is one that teams can actually piece together a deal for. For example, the Boston Celtics have a huge $28.5 million trade exception and if all else fells can trade very little to acquire Aldridge.

Even if it is not a team with a trade exception, all it takes is two mid-sized contracts to get a deal done, whereas it would take three to orchestrate a deal for Drummond. That is why Drummond is a key buyout candidate and Aldridge is not.

The Los Angeles Lakers would have to trade for LaMarcus Aldridge.

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