With the 2017 NBA Draft just hours away, the trade rumor mill has begun to widely fill with various scenarios around the league.
One of the growing conversations has been the San Antonio Spurs suddenly making All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge available in the trade market. According to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, the reasoning for Aldridge being an attainable asset has stemmed through his frustration with his current situation.
According to a person with knowledge of the Spurs forward’s situation, it’s the 31-year-old’s unhappiness in San Antonio that is the driving force behind the Spurs’ trade talks on Thursday. The five-time All-Star, according to the person, is hopeful that San Antonio can find a better fit for his talents.
Much of this is rooted in Aldridge's desire to play in another situation where he is better utilized. There had been reports this past season that he was unhappy with being the second option on the team behind fellow All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Spurs had originally sold Aldridge on the premise that he would be properly used in the Spurs' offensive system along with being the player that would be handed the torch once Tim Duncan retired. However, the emergence of Leonard has altered the plans a bit with him drawing a more significant role in the offensive game plan.
This combined with his struggles in the postseason and his declining production have led him toward this path of wanting to play elsewhere. He has just one more guaranteed year left on his deal worth $21.4 million and a $22.3 million player option for the 2018-19 campaign.
The Spurs have reportedly discussed possibly trading Aldridge to the Phoenix Suns for their fourth overall pick, but things didn't progress far. His former team, Portland Trail Blazers, have also expressed interest in bringing him back.
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