LaMarcus Aldridge Won't Sign With Los Angeles Lakers: Reports

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. L.A. — Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (left) drives against Los Angeles Lakers small forward Wesley Johnson during a 2014 game in Portland, Oregon. Aldridge is now a free agent and is considering contract offers from several NBA teams. Reuters/Steve Dykes/USA Today Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers made their pitch to free agent power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. But even with star guard Kobe Bryant present during the recruitment process, it appears the Lakers haven't convinced Aldridge to join the NBA club for next season.

Multiple reports on Wednesday stated that Aldridge, who met with the L.A. brass for nearly two hours Tuesday night, will ultimately opt against playing for the Lakers. Those reporting the development included Mike Bresnahan, the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times, and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

LaMarcus Aldridge will not be joining the Lakers, The Times has learned. They were a 50-50 choice but he disliked bball part of presentation
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015

Lakers didn't make strong impression in Aldridge meeting, sources say. Spurs can close on him. LMA expected to make decision fairly soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015

In the L.A. Times report, Bresnahan wrote that Aldridge was “turned off” by the lack of basketball analytics within the Lakers camp. Additionally, it stated that Bryant and Aldridge did not have chemistry when they talked during the meeting.

As per reports in previous weeks, Aldridge is also set to meet with other NBA teams -- including the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. One of those teams could sign Aldridge if he decides to leave the Portland Trail Blazers, for whom he has played for the past nine seasons.

The 29-year-old Aldridge, who is a four-time NBA All-Star, averaged a double-double of 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season and is considered one of the top free agents on the 2015 market.

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