One of the biggest Aldridge homers here

I must say this Aldridge trade talks are really depressing me. Like Brian said; "if rumors are true, at least he is doing it the right way"

Still it really saddens me that we couldn't build a winning team with Aldridge. Roy and oden's injury really fucked our chances of greatness.

I was hoping Aldridge would just give the Lillard era one more chance; but it doesn't look good. I hope the rumors are wrong; but if they are true; I wish Aldridge nothing but the best.

 

Be an optimist.
If the rumors are true, good. Blake Griffin wants out of LA, and a LMA+Wes for Griffin makes sense for both teams.

If the rumors are not true, good. We get to keep LMA.

 

Same $hit, different year, just like Batum last year LMA will be back and we'll be better

 

Pairing Chris Paul with Aldridge would be a damn good combo. It was obvious that miller really excelled Aldridge's game. Also doc coached a versatile big man like Garnett. I think he would do wonders for Aldridge.

 

And from what I remember; batum wasn't too happy about the match either.

 

LA and Wes for Blake??? Not sure I would do that. Especially seeing as how LA is the better player.

 

or after HOU signs Howard with their capspace we trade for Asik, something like LMA goes and Asik/Beverley/Jones comes back, with Parsons and Motieunas as other potential pieces to mix in. A lot of this would depend upon how one values Asik, I value him rather high. And by the way I believe we would have something like 17 mil in capspace after that trade.

 

If Aldridge is traded, this team needs to TANK!

I don't know how many times I have to say it, but trying to rebuild this summer, while trading LaMarcus is a really stupid fucking idea.

Next year the draft will be better.

Next year the free agent market will be better.

Our best chance for being a strong playoff team three years from now is NOT to trade LaMarcus for multiple "decent" players to fill the roster - AND take up valuable cap space next year, AND to give us a few extra wins pushing us down the lottery next year (or even losing the pick for us entirely).

We need to trade LaMarcus where we somehow end up with an unprotected 1st in 2014 from a probable lottery team, and expiring contracts, and young, raw player(s). Also, move Wes. And consider moving Batum is a great deal presents. Push cap space to next season. Lose lots of games this year and our own pick will be a great one.

Then, in summer 2014, the Blazers have the opportunity to completely remake the team.

 

Griffin would bolt from here the first chance he got. You think someone marketed like him would stay in Portland?

The problem is player power. They're playing their own GMs now. Place like Portland and Milwaukee are the very bottom of the barrel.

 

I think Aldridge is a great player to rent for the next two season and if it doesn't work out we can let him walk so we get tons of cap space. Cost to start the rental is zero.

 

There isn't any team that would trade for a 28 year old LaMarcus and after acquiring him still be a probable lottery team. You want the impossible.

 

The sad thing is that if a player like Aldridge (reportedly quiet and reserved, and not really marketable on the national scale) thinks PDX is too small and boring for him, how would someone like Blake feel? You would think that guys who travel out of town so much and spend summers elsewhere wouldn't care as much about the city they play for.

 

3 team deals. Use your imagination.

 

I think I'm more of a homer than you Mags because I think this drama is completely made up by the media. If you read the original Quick article that's being reworked for an article or starting a rumor I still don't see anything that tells me LaMarcus is demanding a trade. Quick was being an ass and baited into him saying the "I hate Portland" thing and I thinks it's clear he's referring to the Portland media. First, I think he's saying I don't want to go through a rebuild but I think we're close and lets see what happens in the draft and free agency this summer and next.

If we're not contenders by then, after 9 years of being the ultimate professional on and off the court (and an All Star who may be entering his last contract), who would blame him for wanting a last shot at a ring by going somewhere else? He's the kind of guy that is going to be a professional wherever he plays, whether its on a losing team in Portland or a champion like Miami. He HAS NEVER been a distraction for the franchise on or off the court! It's to his benefit to succeed here so he will still be marketable to other teams should a trade happen in the future.

The lease thing seems like something every professional athlete would want, there's always a chance of a trade... it just makes sense.

The sponsorships - he's a private guy, maybe he's just telling the straight truth on that. He's always been a quiet star, maybe he wants to just go to work (during the NBA season) and then go home. Who knows but given his personality it doesn't surprise me. Have you ever looked at his twitter feed? He's just a mellow guy who likes music, playing basketball, hanging out with his family. He does not come across as a party animal.

Ultimately, I think LaMarcus is staying this season and I don't think trading him when you can't get back enough value is a good move at all. Winning cures a lot of unhappiness. I think both he and Neil are both saying they at least want him to get a shot at winning IN Portland.

 

Repped. I agree with everything in this post, and you said it much better than I have been trying to say it.

 

Maybe a new suitor has emerged?

Hearing the Pistons could make serious charge, and be serious contender, for free agent swingman Andre Iguodala (Nuggets). #NBA --samamico

They have two centers that would be ideal for this rebuilding team. I'd be happy with Monroe or Drummond.

 

How the hell does that make sense for Portland? We downgrade to Griffin AND give them Wes?

 

I think either of those guys are going to cost some serious coin. I don't know that we have enough to offer them, really. Unless they want a package centered around Wes or Batum, but I don't see that.

 

I'm talking about dealing LMA.

Obviously it'd have to be a 3-way to make it work under the cap.