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New York Knicks Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge Targeted in Free Agency

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LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers NBA Free Agency

Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks don’t just need to make a few acquisitions this offseason — they need a full-body makeover. Outside of Carmelo Anthony and Tim Hardaway, Jr., there are really no other notable players that you can comfortably plan on seeing in a Knicks uniform next season. The Knicks have at least a top-five pick in upcoming NBA Draft, and president Phil Jackson has stated that the team plans to sign two starters in free agency. The Knicks will be targeting Portland Trail Blazers star forward LaMarcus Aldridge to fill one of those spots.

Aldridge averaged a career high 23.4 points per game in 2014-15, in addition to 10.2 rebounds. Portland was bounced in the first round of playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Aldridge averaged 21.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in the five-game series. Aldridge also had a career best Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 22.8. Overall, it was a very nice season for Aldridge, and he will be looking to get paid for it this offseason.

If Aldridge comes to New York, there will be questions of whether he or Anthony will be featured in the offense. Aldridge thrived in Portland with fellow star Damian Lillard and had no issues sharing shots. However, Lillard’s shots came from perimeter and penetrating in the lane, whereas Anthony operates in nearly the same space as Aldridge. It may be a situation where the Knicks make the push for Aldridge and rely on head coach Derek Fisher, Anthony and Aldridge to make it work.

The bottom line is that the Knicks need talent and Aldridge is as talented as anyone available. It makes perfect sense for the Knicks to go after Aldridge. If he wants to expand his stardom and make more of a name for himself, New York and the Los Angeles Lakers would be the obvious front-runners.

Patrick Piascik is an NBA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @patrickpiascik.

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