On Wednesday, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich confirmed that the franchise will part ways with LaMarcus Aldridge.
Gregg Popvich says the San Antonio Spurs are working on a trade scenarios for LaMarcus Aldridge.
He's healthy, but not currently with the team as both sides pursue 'opportunities to move him elsewhere.'
(via @RealTomPetrini) pic.twitter.com/cQGcOEjS78
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 11, 2021
“LaMarcus is not with the team,” Popovich said. “He's healthy … but we've mutually agreed to work out some opportunities for him and that'll be elsewhere. … He's been a great teammate. There was no problem there. We just think this is a win-win for both LaMarcus and for the club. So, when an opportunity arises … We'll all move forward.”
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the team has “been engaged on several fronts” in trade talks, and has given Aldridge permission to seek “opportunities elsewhere.”
There's a level of confidence that a trade partner will be found for Aldridge — perhaps even in the next week — and no movement toward a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2021
The fact that San Antonio went public with the news and leaked their “confidence” to Woj could indicate that a trade is already in place, or close. On the other hand, Woj noted that if no deal is agreed to before the March 25 deadline, “many of the league's top teams are privately expressing interest” in adding Aldridge via buyout.
Certainly, that group could include the Lakers, who are seeking veteran frontcourt depth and have been linked to fellow former All-Star bigs Andre Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins.
LaMarcus Aldridge is in the final year of a $50 million extension, earning $24 million this season. The capped-out Lakers are without a trade exception (unlike, crucially, the Boston Celtics), meaning they would have to include significant rotation guys to match salaries in an Aldridge swap. I can safely report that Rob Pelinka will not trade Dennis Schröder or Montrezl Harrell (plus more pieces) for two months of Aldridge.
In other words: a trade is a non-starter, regardless of the pieces involved.
As is the case with Drummond, who is making $28.8 million, the buyout route is the only way the defending champions could get their hands on Aldridge. But should they want to?
Aldridge averaged 19.5 points and eight rebounds during his six seasons in San Antonio, but the 15-year pro is down to 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 21 appearances in 2020-21. As CBS' Sam Quinn pointed out, San Antonio has been 8.7 points per possession better with Aldridge on the bench. The 35-year old has missed eight of their past 12 games due to hip and quadriceps injuries.
Undeniably, Aldridge is far from the player or asset he once was. On paper, though, he does check three key boxes for the Lakers.
First, he's experienced, with 72 playoff games under his belt.
Second, he's quality big-man insurance. Even if he were to fall out of the playoff rotation, the 6'11 forward/center could provide useful frontcourt depth until then, especially with Anthony Davis nursing a calf strain.
Finally, Aldridge can shoot — a recent area of weakness for the Lakers. He has made 37.9 percent of 3.6 three-point attempts per game over the past two seasons.
Drummond is atop the Lakers' wish list, and with good reason. He's significantly younger and more productive, and, if engaged, would be a far better option on the boards and around the rim on both ends. By contrast, Aldridge is more of a pick-and-pop player and floor spacer at this stage of his career.
The Lakers also need a wing — either a 3-and-D upgrade (a P.J. Tucker or Trevor Ariza type) and/or extra ball-handler (George Hill?). Once they officially re-sign journeyman center Damian Jones to a second 10-day contract, the Lakers would be better off filling their final open roster spot with a perimeter player.
It's possible Aldridge wouldn't be interested in coming to the Lakers after their infamously botched free agent pitch in 2015. The organization was in a different place then — mired in a string of losing seasons and still run by Jim Buss. Things are different now.
But, if Jones is not retained a third time, Aldridge is bought out and intrigued, and Drummond lands elsewhere, the soon-to-be-former Spur is worthy of pursuing. That looks like the only way the Lakers land LaMarcus Aldridge at this point.
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