5 years at current MAX and 7.5% raises may be less money than MAX for one year, opt out, then MAX (non bird) under TV deal for 4 years and 4.5% raises. If it's about 5 years and more money, maybe staying isn't his best choice. So maybe it doesn't make one bit of difference - it's 5 years either way. However, if the Blazers would re-sign him as a FA after he opts out (after re-signing with the Blazers), then he gets 6 years and more money. I may be wrong about signing elsewhere scenario. I didn't run the figures in a spreadsheet to see. I'm thinking he'll make more over the course of 5 years signing a new MAX after a year, even a 4 year deal elsewhere.
You are correct if you compare the outside 5 year to a current 5 year deal this summer. I'm not arguing that point. But to your same scenario, Aldridge can have a max with Portland next season with an opt out next summer, then sign a MAX deal of 5 years. So he would get 6 years, instead of 5 years. Something Portland has over any team. Also, the other teams would need significant cap space next summer to cover that "new max deal". When Portland can still sign him max, even if they are over cap. What does this mean? Well if Aldridge trusts Olshey, then we would have the best chance to net the best roster for him. As many have said already, Spurs are the only team we worry about. It's close to home, they have the best coach in the league, his child idol Duncan will play next to him and they can still net a championship team around him.
Well, that's an entirely different subject all together. The question is "Can we give Aldridge more than any other team?" Yes we can. Will we? Maybe
Living away from his hometown probably saves him millions in it's own way. Those entourages haven't always worked out just because you have more money...Antoine Walker didn't do too well with it. Nostalgia can come with a lot of baggage.
Also, it could be possible that Aldridge signs a MAX 5 year with Portland with an opt out the first year so he can try them out for one more year. The season has been injury riddled, so our outcome is a little skewed. So this could be insurance for him. If he is a monster next season, he can demand even more. If he's lackluster, then he can stay with the current max 5 year. If he's unhappy with the direction, he can opt out and go to another team.
This is a brilliant idea if we're insecure about LA staying. It gives him ultimate flexibility, while letting us say we resigned him and giving us one more year to figure things out.
