Do you think there's a chance they'd give him up? The notion showed up in the BlazersEdge column about potential Aldridge trades. Personally I'd think they'd hold him as untouchable, but I think he's going to be the best C in the game.
Nope. Both LMA and Monroe don't want to play Center. Which ones does for DET? I don't see it happening.
I think Drummond will be a beast in a couple years.... No way they trade him. Sent from my baller ass iPad FAMS!
It might make sense in terms of the player value that gets exchanged, but I don't think the Pistons would consider that, just because of where they're at right now. If Aldridge is going to be traded, he's probably got to be traded to a contender. What will the Pistons do with Aldridge? Scrap their way to an 8-seed? They're a team that's built for the '14 lottery with some great future assets. I don't think they'd compromise that for LaMarcus Aldridge. With that said, if you're looking for a young post prospect in return for Aldridge, then maybe should bark up the Cavs' tree. The Cavs are looking to contend now, and with Anthony Bennett in tow, maybe you could get Tristan Thompson and a '14 pick for LaMarcus Aldridge.
Well, what would you add to make that an acceptable offer? I really doubt they'd part with Bennett, but Cleveland seems like the team to hit up for young prospects for LMA. Tristan Thompson is already a better rebounder the LMA, and he just turned 22. Given his career progression, he's set for a breakout year next season. Also, the 2014 draft is going to be stacked at the top, but that's also going to trickle down to the #14-20 range picks. What else would you suggest they add to make that an attractive deal for LMA? From a neutral perspective, that looks pretty reasonable for Portland.
We had Triston for two years already -- JJ Hickson. That's nowhere close to fair value. And they tried like hell to deal that pick btw. They offered the #1 AND #19 for LMA but were turned down.
Just to clear it up, I wasn't saying that the Bennett (and assets) was worth LMA... was just saying that at this point, after committing to him as the #1 pick, introducing him to the fanbase, etc., I doubt they'd trade him, whereas Thompson could be a tradeable asset. I floated Tristan Thompson out there, because like the undertones of this thread suggest, it seems like the nucleus of the Trail Blazers is full of young, up-and-coming players, with LMA being the real outlier. However, if the Blazers tried to shop LMA in trade offers, they'd probably have a hard time netting a current "star," yet they might be able to get some future assets with "potential" that can fit into your long-term plans. Going for a guy like Drummond makes no sense to your trade partner, because adding LMA wouldn't do any lottery team any good. That's what made me think Cleveland might be a good trade partner, because they're a team full of young talent that expects to win now. I figure with McCollum and Lillard, the Blazers wouldn't have any interest in Waiters. If Thompson doesn't float your boat and find your lost remote, then what would Varejao (or "insert Clipper here") mean to the Blazers in a LMA deal?
I'm still pushing this one. (We also get Mirotic/CHA pick.) Bulls have turned down Noah before, but this way they get Asik back, whom Thibs loves, and I think Asik + Aldridge is an upgrade over Noah + Taj. (And they'd still have Boozer.)
This time last year there was talk that the Blazer's should trade LMA for TRob. Now we have both. I guess my point is Bennett is not a for sure thing any more than TRob was. So I guess I would pass on that. Drummond at least showed he had potential before he got hurt. But he did get hurt like most centers seem to do.
I think at this point in time you go into the season with Aldridge on the team, and keep in contact with him. He may prove willing to stay if the Blazers have put together a winner and he trust olshey to continue build. And then revisit the issue close to the trade deadline. We will be better able to determine which picks will likely be high, and which players show potential. Trade then if Aldridge still wants out.
