The Portland Trail Blazers appear set to keep LaMarcus Aldridge through the summer after trade rumors popped up all offseason and despite reports that he hasn't asked for a trade, there is a chance the team could make a deal eventually with the Chicago Bulls, reportedly the stars first choice if he is moved.
According to Bill Simmons at Grantland, the two sides could come to an agreement that would work out for both money wise, as Aldridge would come to the Bulls in a deal with Carlos Boozer, Jimmy Butler as well as Nikola Mirotic and the rights to an unprotected number one pick they have from Charlotte. Simmons argues that a package containing all that could be enough to sway the Blazers, who reportedly have shopped Aldridge to a number of teams this offseason, although the player has denied that he has asked for a trade.
Aldridge still has two years and $30 million on his contract and the team will not give him up for scraps after he averaged 21.1 points and 9.1 rebounds last season. The Charlotte pick is unprotected by 2016 and the move could be a big steal for the Bulls, as they could get one of the best forwards in the game to pair with Derrick Rose as he comes back from a serious injury. The 28-year-old reportedly asked for a trade and the Blazers shopped him to a number of teams, but got "no" from every general manager.
That's not to say they didn't like Aldridge, but when asking the LA Clippers for Blake Griffin, the Timberwolves for Kevin Love, the Hawks for Al Horford and the Pelicans for Anthony Davis, it is not crazy to see why the teams said no. Talk of the trade heated up in summer league after reports from CSNNW.com reported that Aldridge asked for a trade, but now it appears that things have simmered down on both sides.
Aldridge has developed into one of the best players in the league with career averages of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 blocks per game and if the Blazers hold tight, they will have a solid team this year after getting some pieces in the three-way Tyreke Evans deal. The team got a number of players in trades this offseason that upgrades the roster, including Robin Lopez and forward Thomas Robinson and the team also added Dorell Wright as a free agent and drafted Lehigh guard CJ McCollum.
The team loves what it has in Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard and the franchise wants to see what he can do with a second year and a more talented roster. Aldridge helped the team to a 33-49 record last season, but with changes up to the team is ready to improve after ranking just 15th in scoring and 21st in points allowed per game. The Blazers have some issues with rebounding and adding Robinson will help and if Lillard can turn into one of the top point guards in the league, the team will have a bright future.