Aldridge isn't going to start over Nurk. So you have him coming off the bench alongside Carmelo, who occupy basically the same space on offense. Kanter works there because he can rebound like a mad man all of the chucked up shots from Carmelo, Trent, and Simons. Aldridge would be another guy floating around the perimeter. His marginally better defense isn't going to help our team over Kanter, IMO.
They could always start Melo. That lineup got them into the playoffs and they didn’t even have Ariza.
Looks like Spurs are having trouble finding anyone interested in trading for Aldridge and a buyout is more likely
But that "same space" is the most important space to occupy--the perimeter. And, unlike players who's space is the low post, high post or dunker's spot, you can (and ideally should) have as many players as possible on the court at a time occupying it. I do think that's a significant advantage over Kanter, that his offense comes with spacing while Kanter is a 1980s/90s style paint pillar, especially since Kanter doesn't bring rim protection with it. Kanter's rebounding, especially his offensive rebounding, is a valuable weapon but having a big who can space (which even Nurk can't really do) I think is a pretty important skill to have in your arsenal.
Really hope adding Aldridge isn't the move, even as a buyout candidate. We're set to get Nurk back here shortly, Enes is arguable the best backup 5 in the game, and the team has shown an interest in playing Cov as a small-ball 5. I just don't see where Aldridge gets minutes as a center on this roster and he's a liability on the defensive end of the floor. I don't think a bottom-five defensive team needs to be adding players who won't improve our performance on that end of the floor.
Nurk is never healthy. I guarantee you he won’t even make it to the playoffs without some type of hindering injury
If this happens, we need a way to spin it so Olshey and Stotts are to blame. And kudos if someone can come up with a way to suggest the Blazers will move to Seattle because of this AND Dame will demand to be traded.
