The Portland Trail Blazers have been dealing with trade rumors involving star LaMarcus Aldridge all offseason and now it appears that those reports are coming true, as the team has been looking at certain trades involving Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford and Anthony Davis on request from Aldridge's camp.
The reports first started earlier in the offseason and now, according to Pro Basketball Talk, the star has requested deals to a number of teams to try and get into a better situation, but so far none have come to fruition. The report says that the team has looked into deals involving stars Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford and Anthony Davis, as they would be equal value, but so far those general managers have said no to involving them in a deal.
The Blazers are in a tough sport because they like Aldridge and his game, but the $30.4 million the team has to pay him over two years is too much to handle, which is why they are looking for a deal for the All-Star. The 27-year-old is one of the best young players in the NBA and is on the cusp of superstardom after averaging 21.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last season. The Blazers know they likely can't re-sign him, so they feel that a trade will be the best way to get value back for him, but now it just depends what team will be willing to get involved.
The report says that people from Aldridge's camp met with the Blazers in the Las Vegas to try and get a deal done, but so far teams have rebuffed the offer. The Blazers could hold onto Aldridge until the season begins and then try to deal him and that might be the best course of action as they try to build for the future around Damian Lillard. The team wants players in return for Aldridge rather than draft picks and general manager Neil Olshey knows the type of player Aldridge is and won't just give him up for nothing.
Aldridge said earlier this offseason he did not request a trade a now a deal is looking more and more likely as the summer goes on. If he comes back he likely will still have a nice amount of trade value and his career averages of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 blocks per game will be appealing to any team, it just depends on who will want to pick up the money on his deal and that team also will likely want to re-sign him for the future.
Last season he showed why he is one of the best players at his position in the league, averaging 21.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks and another reason he could be on the way out is due to Robinson's numbers of averaged 11.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, but clearly he does not yet match the talent of the All-Star. The Blazers will be pragmatic this offseason as they evaluate, but a big move could be on the horizon.
