LaMarcus Aldridge is out in the trade market after Gregg Popovich announced the big man and the San Antonio Spurs agreed to part ways this campaign. Aldridge landed in San Antonio in 2015, as one of the most exciting players in that year’s free agency but he hasn’t been able to find success with the Texan team.
Pop revealed the news on Wednesday saying the player is healthy but he won’t be with the team until they find a trade partner.
“LaMarcus is not with the team,” Popovich said. “He’s healthy … but we’ve mutually agreed to work out some opportunities for him and that’ll be elsewhere. … He’s been a great teammate. There was no problem there. We just think this is a win-win for both LaMarcus and for the club. So, when an opportunity arises … We’ll all move forward.”
Gregg Popovich on LaMarcus Aldridge: pic.twitter.com/OQN0U3jVNV
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 11, 2021
Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Lakers have appeared as a good option for Aldridge. The purple and gold have been linked with a series of players in recent weeks and this one wasn’t going to be the exception. That said, Michael Corvo of Clutch Points explained that regardless of the benefits that LaMarcus could bring to the Lakers, Rob Pelinka won’t pay what the Lakers will need to pay to get the former Portland Trail Blazers star.
LaMarcus Aldridge is in the final year of a $50 million extension, earning $24 million this season. The capped-out Lakers are without a trade exception (unlike, crucially, the Boston Celtics), meaning they would have to include significant rotation guys to match salaries in an Aldridge swap. I can safely report that Rob Pelinka will not trade Dennis Schröder or Montrezl Harrell (plus more pieces) for two months of Aldridge.
In other words: a trade is a non-starter, regardless of the pieces involved.
We’d like to be a little more optimistic here and say the Lakers could get Aldridge and they’re actually willing to give up several assets to land the big man. So, what is it gonna take to get this man out of San Antonio? Either they send Dennis Schroder or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope plus Wesley Matthews, Kyle Kuzma, and Alex Caruso; or Schroder and Montrezl Harrell, or Caldwell-Pope plus Harrell and Matthews.
- Trade Package No. 1: Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, 2027 first-round pick
- Trade Package No. 2: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso
- Trade Package No. 3: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Matthews
Even if they only trade two players, that would compromise the Lakers’ core and that’s something they’re not willing to do right now. If that would get them Aldridge for only two months, it’s easy to say why they wouldn’t pull the trigger on this move.
They are still in a good position regardless of Anthony Davis’ injury but the Lakers need to add the right pieces to face the remainder of the season. LaMarcus appeared to be a very good option for them but the Spurs aren’t interested in buying him out, which would make things easier for the Californians. The alternative for this would be Andre Drummond, but the Cleveland Cavaliers must buy him out first if the Lakers want to have a chance at the talented rebounder.
