Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Trail Blazers’ inability to attract top-tier free agents is the leading reason why franchise star LaMarcus Aldridge will sign with a new team come July. Even though there will be plenty of suitors for the power forward, the San Antonio Spurs are the clear frontrunners to sign him.
There is still hope within the Portland organization that Aldridge will sign a five-year deal, the same one a year ago he pledged he would sign this summer. The issue is he has come to the realization that the Trail Blazers is not a team ready to take the next step to becoming a champion. Portland is not able to bring in big-named free agents, which means they are not truly serious about winning. Also, sources close to the team have indicated he feels the organization does not appreciate him as much as they should.
In Aldridge’s eyes, switching to another team in a new city is the only way he will be happy going forward. It also helps that a team that knows exactly what it takes to win a title is interested in signing him.
“He has tons of respect for coach [Gregg] Popovich,” one source told ESPN. “And he thinks highly of their organization and front office.”
The Spurs want Aldridge and he wants to play for them, but the only way it happens is if San Antonio makes a few roster moves. If they want to continue competing for championships, creating salary-cap space for Aldridge is a no-brainer. It also makes sense for Aldridge to have a desire to play for a genius head coach and with fantastic players in his home state.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a close second while the Dallas Mavericks are third on Aldridge’s free agency wish list. Despite Portland clearly being the one left alone in the dark, it will still be interesting to see which Western or Eastern Conference team Aldridge decides to take his talents to next.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
