Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher covers some potential landing spots for Blazers free-agent LaMarcus Aldridge. While league sources say the Mavericks are the biggest threat to lure Aldridge away from Portland, a scenario involving a sign-and-trade with Boston has emerged:
While a rumor about a sign-and-trade deal that would send him to the Celtics emerged, league sources are skeptical whether Aldridge or the Blazers would agree to one. For the Blazers, neither Boston’s 16th pick nor its young big men are enticing; for Aldridge, if Portland’s weather is as unappealing to him as it supposedly is, he certainly would want no part of New England winters. And while the East postseason competition is a little thinner, is there any reason to believe the Celtics have a chance of getting to the Finals before the Northwest Division-champion Blazers?
Holy cow… the Aldridge to Boston rumors are really starting to escalate. LMA’s name first popped up last month when Sherrod Blakely talked up the Wesley Matthews package deal. Then we had the Aldridge at Logan Airport sighting over the weekend.
I have to laugh at the comment about New England winters. I understand the desire to play in warm weather locales. But you can’t tell me a 30-year-old athlete with 3, maybe 4, prime years left, is going to let weather impact his final chase for a championship.
As for Portland’s interest in a sign-and-trade, everything changes once Aldridge says he’s leaving. Why wouldn’t they accept some draft picks and a trade exemption? As if letting him walk away free is a better alternative.
