No, I'm right in that no one on the planet can give him more money right now. He's on a playoff team, with at least 3 years more of an all-star PG and 2 of a pretty decent 3rd wheel. Coach just got an extension, and the GM's a semi-rock star. If he doesn't accept the best offer anyone can give, the Blazers choices are to see what they can get for him, tell him that they're trading him unless he signs, or walking into UFA---where 3 of 36 all-stars over the last decade have stayed with their team.
You're asking the guy to give up close to $50m dollars. That's easy to say when you have nothing invested, other than dumb ideas, but trade him for not accepting the 3-year after a 54-win season and you'll be laughed out of the NBA when the team yet again regresses and misses the playoffs. Jesus, Portland finally gets an All-Star who doesn't have a career-ending injury, and a very vocal few want to run the guy out of town because he'll be eligible for much more money next summer.
I respect that, and I get it. I absolutely disagree with your position, though, especially when I consider that there will likely be at least one amnesty available after the 2017 CBA renegotiation. This has been beat to death in your absence, and the same 3 or 4 anti-LMA people jump right back in. I'm over it. LMA isn't going anywhere, so thank goodness you're not able to trade him.
I like that fix! Deal! Do Nate and PapaG know that Mt Tabor is the designated fighting ground for all Blazer basketball arguments?
He's only "giving up" 50M dollars if he thinks that the Blazers will offer him a 5yr max next year and let him be eligible for UFA and he doesn't think that he can get max dollars at 33 and 34. A) I don't think he's worth a 5year max going to 34 years old. I could very well be in the minority. Dirk and Duncan (for two really good PFs who stayed with one team their whole careers) didn't make the max at 34. B) I don't think it's worth the risk that he'll take a couple of million less a year to play somewhere else.
He also threw out some kind of personal attack that makes no sense, but he won't answer for it. That's PapaG for ya.
There are two sides to this, if you believe that LA is willing to stay and sign a 4-5 year deal after this season then trading him because he wants extra money would be foolish. If you are in the camp that believes LA wants to return to Dallas make max money and pay no income tax then dealing the guy for assets before he leaves for nothing is a good decision.
As far as I'm concerned Aldridge hasn't committed to being in Portland beyond the 2014-2015 NBA season. Until he does, either vocally or contractually, all options should be on the table.
The Blazers could only win 48 games next year and be a 6-8 seed Who's confident Aldridge re-signs if that happens?