Blazers fans know that by now, it has been extensively reported that veteran power forward LaMarcus Aldridge will be parting ways with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. Aldridge averaged 19.5 PPG and 8.o RBG during his time in Texas and finished his career with the Spurs with a shockingly strong 241-135 record.

In spite of the looming return of Portland Trail Blazer big man Jusuf Nurkic, the team is still rather thin on the frontline. Zach Collins remains perennially unavailable and Enes Kanter's playability is night and day. How fun would it be to see LaMarcus Aldridge–who has carved out such a strong relationship with the city of Portland, even appearing in a  Portlandia episode here and there–return to the City of Roses with a chance to finish what he started?

With the major obstacle of Aldridge's $24 million salary, trading for the former All-Star may be more of a pipe dream than a plausible solution to get the Blazers over the hump. But nonetheless, it would warm the hearts of many a Pacific Nothwesterner to see LaMarcus Aldridge trade-in Spurs gray for Blazer red.

Here are the top 3 trades I saw that would send LaMarcus Aldridge back to Portland.

3. Give Me all the Offense

Blazers Receive: LaMarcus Aldridge

Spurs Receive: Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter, Rodney Hood and Nassir Little

As the inventor of this LaMarcus Aldridge trade, CBS writer Sam Quinn said, “Yes, this one is sappy…. But, darn it, 2021 owes us some sentimentality after the 2020 we just endured.” A run-of-the-mill, get-this-man-where-he belongs trade that would give the Blazers the firepower to compete with the NBA top dogs.

But at what cost? ‘Melo has become an absolute stud role player for the Blazers and is on an extremely team-friendly deal, Hood can fill the Jordan Clarkson role of bench spark plug admirably, Little is an exciting young prospect that can guard two through five, and with how LaMarcus Aldridge has performed on both ends this season, he's effectively a wash with Kanter.

If the Blazers get the LaMarcus Aldridge of year's past, then this trade becomes an immediate trigger pull for Blazers GM Neil Olshey. But realistically, this isn't a responsible trade to make from a basketball perspective.

2. The Three-Team Special

Miami Heat Receive: Robert Covington

Blazers Recieve: LaMarcus Aldridge

Spurs Receive: Kelly Olynyk, Rodney Hood, a Blazers' 2022 2nd Round Pick, a Heat 2022 2nd Round Pick, and a Heat 2022 1st Round Pick, top 10 protected.

This one comes courtesy of TradeNBA user dailyhoopz, and there's a lot of appeal in most directions. The Spurs retool with a viable big man option to fill LaMarcus Aldridge's role and add another talented wing with plenty of high-level years left in the tank. Spurs GM Robert Bufford also replenishes his supply of draft picks, albeit low-value selections.

This provides the opportunity for some of the younger Blazers guards and wings–like Nassir Little and 2021 Dunk Champion Anfernee Simons–with even more freedom and role security, focusing on development while staying competitive alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.

The one area of this trade that I'm suspicious of is the rationale behind the Blazers trading Covington so quickly. Currently a mere three months into a 2-year/$25 million deal, Covington was one of the pieces brought in during the 2021 offseason to tip the scales of power in the West slightly more in favor of the Blazers. Though his numbers may not back it up, Covington's defensive versatility is one of the most important elements for the Blazers in their ability to make a deep playoff run. Fun trade, but not the best one to send L.A. back to Portland.

1. The Best you're Gonna Do with LaMarcus Aldridge

Blazers Receive: LaMarcus Aldridge

Spurs Receive: Enes Kanter, Zach Collins, and Rodney Hood

Though this little birdy, featured on local Portland news channel KGW's site, looks marginally different than the first trade, this is the one that makes the most sense for the Blazers. Though giving up three players for what could be a half-year rental of Aldridge, the running assumption for any team that trades for him is that he would be open to the idea of an extension with the receiving party.

In this case, Olshey could rationalize trading a minus-defender in Kanter and two players that just can't seem to find their way on the court for a player like LaMarcus Aldridge. If the best ability is availability, then this is the trade to prove it.

And though Collins is a theoretically exciting young talent, two consecutive ankle surgeries for a big man with not a lot of muscle is a scary reality. At his best Collins is a modern-day Boris Diaw with speed, but through three years it's rare to get the opportunity to see Collins at his best. If the Blazers were to go for it and trade for their former talismanic big man, this is the trade that can be most easily rationalized.