The Blazers have a big decision to make regarding LaMarcus Aldridge and after trade rumors came up before last season, the forward blossomed into an All-Star and now teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LA Clippers, Spurs, Knicks and LA Lakers could be options in a trade over a contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers heading into next season.
Aldridge is coming into the final year of his contract and he will be getting paid $16 million this season before becoming a free agent and while he may want to stay in Portland, he has no incentive right now to sign an extension before hitting free agency. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Aldridge likely will not sign an extension with the Blazers because right now there is only a certain amount of money he can make in that deal based on the salary cap and the CBA and that means he likely will hit the market. Aldridge could sign an extension this summer, but even then it doesn't make sense for him until at least July 1 when free agency begins and the report says that he could sign a short term deal to help mitigate the money issues.
Either way, Aldridge is in a very tough situation, because he is a max contract player or at least on the cusp of it, but he will be 29 over the summer and nearing 30 after next season and there always is a chance he could get injured. Aldridge will be looking for a max deal either this summer or next summer and in 2015 he will have to compete with Kevin Love for attention when he makes it to the free agent market and that adds another little nugget into the situation.
Aldridge has his value sky high right now after the season he had and he risks losing that leverage if something unforeseen were to happen in 2014-15, like an injury or a case of the Roy Hibbert's, which means the player disappears and looks like a shell of his former self. Aldridge was in the top 10 in MVP voting this year and he showed what he really can do after putting up back to back 40 point games in the playoffs. Last year trade rumors came up and there are a number of teams that would be interested in acquiring him.
The Blazers defied expectations last season and ended up 54-28 and while they lost in bad fashion to the Spurs in the playoffs, they have a bright future ahead with Damian Lillard. Aldridge hits free agency on July 1, 2015 and that means he is on the Kevin Love lock and while it's not as crazy pressing as it is for Minnesota, the Blazers have a major decision on their hands. The team has Robin Lopez and he played very well last season and the Blazers offense was very good as well, but if Aldridge leaves that is a major hole to fill. Teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers and Mavericks all could be in the mix for Aldridge and the Blazers are going to try and sign him before he hits free agency next summer.
