Everyone is happy when the team is winning. The Portland Trail Blazers continue to be one of the surprises of the 2013-14 NBA season as they sit at 28-9 on the season, in contention for a top spot in the Western Conference. Because of this, it appears several players are singing a different tune regarding their status with the team in the long-term,
LaMarcus Aldridge pretty much wanted to play for anyone but Portland during the 2013 offseason. The forward generated plenty of buzz after reportedly demanding he be traded before the season begins. Those reports were denied and Aldridge remained with the team. While his name is still being tossed around in certain trade packages, the forward is now hoping to sign an extension when his contract expires in 2015.
"Neil (Olshey, Blazers GM) and I talked all summer," Aldridge said, via the Portland Tribune. "I was unhappy with what happened last season. He said, 'I know you want to win now. We're not going to rebuild. We're going to bring in some guys to win now.' We went back and forth. He said, 'Let me bring in some guys to help you.' And that's what happened."
Now Aldridge is all smiles playing for Portland. The forward says he is at peace now and playing the best basketball of his career. That is a far cry from last season when the Trail Blazers finished with a 13-game losing streak and a 33-49 record. But winning cures all and now Aldridge is hoping the team re-signs him after his $16 million season in 2014.
"I would like to re-sign here," Aldridge says. "If they want to talk about it, I would talk about it. They haven't yet, but I'm looking forward to the chance to do that."
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Portland could only offer Aldridge a three-year contract extension after next season. However, is he becomes a free agent and then re-signs with Portland, the team can offer five years with one extra guaranteed. Aldridge admits that he is coming up on certain franchise records and would like the chance to finish his career in Portland if possible.
"I've been here a long time now," Aldridge said. "I'm coming up on some (franchise career individual statistical) records. I never used to pay attention to those things, but I've been watching it more this year. I'm the No. 4 scorer now. That's cool. To leave a legacy with one team and win a championship here and to be here my whole career, that would be great."
