How exactly am I shooting from the hip? I didn't make this shit up form thin air. There have been rumblings from multiple sources that Aldridge wants out. It's not just some article from bleacher report or something like that. Even Rice and Tone said they think he's gone. The smoke is there Mags... you're just not paying attention to the fire alarm that's going off.
Have you heard it straight from Aldridge's mouth? Kobe publicly said he wanted to be traded; yet here he is in Los Angeles. If you win; all opinions change. I think Olshey is thinking in this regard. So, I say you are firing from the hip because this was from one article. When more articles come out and maybe more "evidence"; then maybe you can say you are aiming in. Until then, you are firing from the hip.
One article? So you completely discount all the rumors of Aldridge being available? The one from Haynes, the one from Bucher, the one from Quick, etc? Haven't you been saying that Aldridge is a classy player? Why would he come out and publicly demand a trade? You realize that hurts the team, right? Hurts his value, hurts his reputation, hurts our chances of getting a good deal for him. Is it so implausible that he went to Neil and said he'd like to be traded, but that he respects the organization and wants them to get a good deal?
Well you can live by the "Sky is falling" concept with Aldridge, and I can live by the "We got a stud that loves this team" concept. I doubt Olshey will trade Aldridge this Summer.
Speculation is fun. It's a lot of what we do here. There is speculation and rumor that LaMarcus has 'quietly' indicated he would like to be traded. He has publicly said he wants the team to add a big 'rim protector' type center -- not necessarilly a starter, but someone who can come in for 20 minutes a game as needed, or something to that affect. Here's how we'll know what Aldridge wants: If he is traded in the next year, that means he asked to be traded. Otherwise, the team would not likely trade him. If he's not traded in the next year, then either he never wanted to be or he changed his mind. As a strategy, if he does want out, then the Blazers should be looking and negotiating hard to both do it and get the best possible return. And the sooner the better. I thought the Cleveland speculation and the GS speculation were both pretty close to fair. I guess I have little to say other than "we'll see". In the meantime, it gives us one more thing to debate! Yeah! P.S.: I think he asked to be traded.
Could be both sides of this trade/no trade L.A. discussion are close to the truth. It may very well have been Aldridge telling Olshey to get him some help for rim protection and for the bench or trade me if it's a full rebuild. Haven't heard much of anything about a trade of L.A. since the flurry of acquisitions.
Nobody knows for sure what is going on behind the scenes, but there is enough evidence to assume that trading Aldridge has been explored. I am certain that Olshey isn't going to just give Aldridge away for nothing, regardless of what Aldridge wants. I believe that Aldridge quietly went to Neil when he was frustrated and said that he would probably rather be traded than go through another rebuild. Olshey looked into trading him, didn't like what he saw, and shelved it for the time being. Now, I'm not saying that Mags is wrong. We might rip shit up next season and Aldridge changes his mind. That's not outside the realm of possibility. Guys like Aldridge can't really afford to leave a ton of money on the table like Howard can. If we get to the playoffs and get out of the first round, I think Aldridge could be convinced to stay. I don't think that's impossible. I also think there's a chance that Aldridge wants a change of scenery, wants to be closer to home, and will move to Dallas in two years regardless. It might mean more to him to be closer to home, than the extra money to stay here.
That's how I see it also. The problem I'm having is finding a team close to home for L.A. who has anything of value to the Blazers (and I mean any piece they are willing to part with) that doesn't leave their own cupboards bare. More than likely the trade would have to include a third team and that's when it gets a little tricky.
I don't think we accommodate him in that regard. I think we take the best deal we can find and let his new team sort it out when he becomes a free agent. I'm sure LA wouldn't have traded for Dwight Howard if they thought he'd leave in one year.
I like all the moves a lot, but I don't expect a bunch of rookies to become a well established bench right away. Maybe not even this season. Look at the season Lillard had last year, and it didn't translate to even playoffs. There's a difference between able to contribute right away and forced to contribute right away. This isn't a knock on the team that's been put together. It's a very nice investment for seasons to come. I wouldn't get down on the guys right away.
I was talking to the doctors here at the hospital saying the one thing Portland needs more than anything else is a 9th wing player
Mags, I wish it were true. LA has been quiet and professional about it, but he has made it clear he wants out.
If Aldridge wants out why wouldn't he say it? Its better to lower his trade value so the team he goes to can keep more of their good players.
