LaMarcus Aldridge has remained relatively quiet about his upcoming stint as a free agent. However, many people are taking his contract rejection as a sign that he is looking to head elsewhere in the summer as he is one of the headlining names of the incoming free agency class. After turning down a four-year contract offer from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks plan on making the forward a priority this offseason.
According to the Oregonian, teammates of Aldridge's are fearful that the forward is ready to bolt this summer. Jason Quick reported that most believe there is a 50-50 chance that Aldridge returns and a lot of it depends on what happens in the playoffs and what players like Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews plan on doing in the future. However, if Aldridge really does have one foot out the door, the Lakers and Knicks are ready to pounce.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com is reporting that the Lakers and Knicks both have the forward at the top of their wish lists. New York and Los Angeles are predicted to each have around $30 million in salary cap space to work with and as the enter rebuilding phases; the big names will get priority over others. Stein reports that the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks will also make a run at Aldridge, but the Knicks and Lakers have more money they can offer the free agent.
The fun twist in this story is that Aldridge told the media during the All-Star break that he was snubbed by Carmelo Anthony in terms of free agency recruiting. Fred Kerber of the New York Post reported that Anthony putting the hard sell on players during the weekend to join the Knicks in free agency and Aldridge joked that the two did not speak.
"You know it is coming when you come here, but really, it wasn't too bad," Aldridge said, via Sporting News. "I didn't get hit with it too much. It was off and on, but it wasn't too bad and I'm used to it by now. I am not in free agency so there isn't much to say."
Aldridge is maintaining the stance that he is remaining in Portland and that the only reason he rejected the four-year deal is because the salary cap will be greater this upcoming offseason and the Trail Blazers can easily offer a five-year contract. It remains to be seen if Aldridge will maintain that statement when the Lakers and Knicks are tossing max contracts at his feet. The forward also has the option of signing a one-year deal this summer and waiting for the tv deal to kick in so he can earn even more cash in 2016.
