LaMarcus Aldridge is an unrestricted free agent who seems to be intent on leaving the Trail Blazers, and the Lakers reportedly are moving up on his list of preferred destinations.
Aldridge, who is from Dallas and played college ball at Texas, is said to be strongly considering the Spurs and Mavericks. ESPN’s Marc Stein also reports that Aldridge’s interest in the Lakers is growing and that they may be head of the Mavericks on his preference list. Stein adds that Portland traded Nicolas Batum Wednesday because they believe Aldridge is leaving in free agency, so they wanted more salary cap flexibility.
Aldridge, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft, has played his entire career in Portland and has made the All-Star team four times. Despite reaching the playoffs five times, he has only advanced past the first round once. Aldridge likely feels that signing with a more successful franchise like San Antonio or Dallas would give him a better chance at making a deep run in the postseason.
The Lakers are probably appealing to Aldridge because of all the rumors about them acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from the Kings. Pairing Cousins with Aldridge would result in one of the best frontcourts in the league.
