NBA Rumors: Four Curious Landing Spots For Aldridge; Buyout Scenario Looms For Lakers

LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to be another curious NBA player that teams will be keeping tabs on heading into the NBA trade deadline.

After agreeing with the San Antonio Spurs he will no longer return after this season, several clubs could come in and explore trade opportunities for the 35-year-old big man.

It should be noted that despite the impending parting of ways, there is a chance that Aldridge could stick around until the end of the current NBA season.

However, trade pitches from teams looking to hone their rosters heading into the postseason wars cannot be discounted. Aldridge is on the last year of a two-year $50 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent once the 2020-21 NBA season wraps up.

Among the teams who could explore possibilities with the Spurs are the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers. Here are some scenarios for the seven-time All-Star.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics do need a big man to shore up their frontline and Aldridge could be a fit. Although his numbers have dipped, head coach Brad Stevens could use a helping hand from the veteran.

Experience is what Aldridge could bring to the Celtics who will likely come off the bench. There is also a chance that Stevens could experiment by paring him with Tristan Thompson. It would be a risky experiment but something Boston could tap.

Miami Heat

The Heat have reportedly reached out to Boston in a potential trade scenario according to the Miami Herald. Miami is in the market for a big man, so adding some veteran presence heading towards the end of the season could be beneficial.

The only question now is will the Heat trade directly and jump the gun on other teams or wait for a buyout?

There have been no indications of such, and the Spurs would likely prefer a straight-up trade so that they will not be left empty-handed.

Portland Trail Blazers

A return to Portland could make sense for Aldridge, the same team where he started his NBA career.

The Blazers could trade some $19 million in expiring contracts, but this would place them over the luxury tax threshold, KGW reported. That scenario may not make sense for Portland who is running fifth in the Western Conference.

Hence, they may opt to wait for a buyout instead.

Los Angeles Lakers

If there is a team that would love to get Aldridge despite his age, it would be the Lakers. But like in previous scenarios, the only way for the veteran to don the famous purple and gold is if the Spurs take the buyout route.

The Lakers are expected to pick up someone from free agency with buyout candidates on the list. Andre Drummond is at the top of the list followed by potential free agents like JaVale McGee or DeMarcus Cousins.

Damian Jones has been performing well, recently getting a second 10-day contract. But adding another veteran body who could be more effective than Marc Gasol could help the Lakers’ struggling back-to-back NBA title drive.