Report: Spurs could make free agent sprint for LaMarcus Aldridge
NBA executives believe the San Antonio Spurs will make a run at All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge when the Portland Trail Blazers star hits the free agent market this summer.
Imagine a young, elite power forward like LaMarcus Aldridge with the San Antonio Spurs.
According to some NBAexecutives, that thought may become a frightening reality for the rest of the Association this summer should the All-Star decide to become an unrestricted free agent and bail out from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Originally reported by Grantland, the belief is that the Spurs see Aldridge as the big man who will carry the mantle if/when Tim Duncan retires.
This could be random, but nearly a half-dozen executives from different teams mentioned the possibility of the Spurs luring LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency with a max contract.
Aldridge has spent his entire career with the Blazers after the Bulls traded him shortly after selecting him in the 2006 NBA draft. He is a fixture both off and on the court for the franchise and has already stated that it is his intent to remain with Portland after his contract expires after this season.
Regardless of how much truth there is in the Spurs' potential pursuit of Aldridge, it shows a clear sign the team has no plans for a major overhaul when Duncan and Manu Ginobili eventually call it a career. The defending champs still have a solid foundation, beginning with forward Kawhi Leonard and guards Danny Green, Cory Joesph and Patty Mills. Veteran point guard Tony Parker still has thread on his tires at age 32, while the club may bring 2013 first round pick Livio Jean-Charles from Europe this summer as well.
More scary is the prospects of the Spurs going after Aldridge and Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, which could be possible if San Antonio finds a new home for Tiago Splitter. Gasol, who is also an unrestricted free agent after this season, will likely stay in Memphis, yet don't count out the prospects of the Spurs making a massive splash.
The pursuit of Aldridge does make sense in the fact that he was born in Dallas and played his college ball at the University of Texas. The Spurs will also be hard-pressed to find a younger running mate for Leonard, especially considering the rival Rockets are set with their duo of James Harden and Dwight Howard.
A life without Aldridge isn't funny to Blazers fans. Even if the popular IFC comedy Portlandia did a skit on it, few in the Rose City will be smiling.
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