The NBA free agent class for 2015 has big names like LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol hitting the market and teams like the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, LA Lakers and Houston Rockets could be interested in signing them over those players making returns to the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Aldridge is more likely to leave his team than Gasol according to most in NBA circles, but Marc Stein at ESPN.com writes that both players are expected to be "in play" on the free agent market. Gasol recently made comments to reporters about Los Angeles, San Antonio and New york as cities that he could see himself playing in, but he also reiterated that "he hasn't thought about changing teams" yet this summer to Gigantes. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Aldridge is "50-50" on returning to Portland and that could spark a bidding war for his services.
Aldridge is going to get a ton of attention on the market, as he is just 29 and is coming off of a career season that saw him make the All-Star team. While it seems likely that he will stay in Portland and try to keep building with Damian Lillard, some reports say that isn't so certain. The team has pushed Lillard as the star and with his contract coming up soon, Aldridge may not get the max contract he desires from the Blazers. Aldridge can make the most money staying in Portland, but a sign and trade is also a possibility.
Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reported earlier this season that the Spurs could be "dark horse" options for both Aldridge and Gasol. The Spurs being active in free agency likely hinges on the team losing Manu Ginobili and/or Tim Duncan to retirement and that is a big if right now. Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report writes that the Mavericks "are the biggest threat" to take Aldridge from Portland and there is a good chance he considers all of the Texas teams in free agency.
Aldridge is from Texas and went to school in the state and he could look at a return with the Mavericks, Rockets or Spurs. According to ESPN.com, the Mavericks are interested in DeAndre Jordan and could look at a sign and trade with Tyson Chandler to get a deal done, but if that doesn't happen, Aldridge could be the target. Bucher writes that Aldridge "isn't feeling" the same as he did last summer when he said he likely would sign an extension in Portland and now it looks like he will seriously consider leaving in free agency.
Earlier in the season the Grizzlies GM was asked about Gasol and he said that he "firmly" believes that Gasol will remain in Memphis, according to Peter Edmiston on Twitter. Gasol looks like he is more likely to stay than Aldridge, but that could change depending on what offers he gets on the market. Aldridge and Gasol could be targets for the Boston Celtics, NY Knicks, LA Lakers and Mavericks, as the former three teams have a ton of money to spend in free agency. The Mavericks are trying to give Dirk one last run at a title and they also could be players for Aldridge or Gasol.
