HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Trail Blazers will have anywhere from $11.8 - $13.1 million in cap space this summer depending on a few variables. And Aldridge has made it clear that when he's recruiting, he will be sure to mention “cap room.” “I can just say we have good fans, we have myself, Damian [Lillard], Nic [Batum] and a good young core and we have cap room,” he said. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Ben Golliver: "I don't think they'll make a move. I think they'll ride it out with our guys." LaMarcus Aldridge on Blazers management at deadline Twitter @blazersedge

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Mike Tokito: Dirk Nowitzki: "We can't let Aldridge basically walk us in to 10 feet & just let him turn around and shoot with 1 second to go." Twitter @mtokito

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge capped a 21-point comeback with a game-winning turnaround jumper at the buzzer to defeat the Mavericks 106-104 in Portland on Tuesday night. Aldridge scored five points in the final five seconds, including his first three of the season, to deliver the home victory. The Blazers set up their final possession on a sideline inbounds play with 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 104. Aldridge received the inbounds pass just outside the left block, turning towards the baseline to fire the turnaround calmly over the outstretched arm of Brandan Wright. The shot dropped through as the buzzer sounded. “This is what you live for,” Aldridge said of his game-winner. “That one felt great. That one felt real easy.” SI.com

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Nicolas Batum: Congrats to @LaMarcus Aldridge for his 2nd all star appearance #ripcity . And also to my 2 French brothers @Tony Parker and @Joakim Noah Twitter @nicolas88batum

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joakim Noah, Nicolas Batum, All Star Game 

Hearing @JHarden13 and @aldridge_12 have indeed made West All-Star team. Official annoucements in minutes Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, All Star Game 

Chris Haynes: I can confirm, #Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge was just notified he has been selected to Western Conference All-Star reserves. Twitter @ChrisBHaynes

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, All Star Game 

The All-Star status mattered to him. It motivated him. And after he was finally selected last season, in many ways it defined him. Aldridge would want me to make sure that word - defined - is in the past tense. It no longer holds true. Case in point: Aldridge boarded an airplane and left Portland on Wednesday night, hours after he turned in an All-Star like performance with 27 points and six rebounds in the Trail Blazers’ streak-snapping 100-80 victory over Indiana at the Rose Garden. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Unlike past years, there would be no cellphone calls to his agent. No inquiring texts to coach Terry Stotts. No scouring the internet to see if the teams had been leaked before the 4 p.m. TNT telecast. Instead, he said he would sleep in. Take his son to the beach. “Let him run around,’’ Aldridge said. “And you know ... whatever he wants to do. I’ve never been to the beach with him before.’’ After that, he looks forward to dinner, just the two of them. “Evolved,’’ is the word Aldridge used to describe his approach to this year’s All-Star announcement. “I’m not so enticed by it that it takes over my day,’’ Aldridge said. “If I get in, great. But if not, then me and my son have a good time.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Chris Tomasson: Portland big man LaMarcus Aldridge said he wants to play for Team USA in the World Cup in Spain in 2014. "Yeah, if they call me, I'm definitely interested in doing it,'' Aldridge told FOX Sports Florida. Aldridge had been a strong candidate for the 2010 team but dropped out just before the trials for what he called "personal'' reasons. But he was back in USA Basketball's good graces for the Olympics last year before he got hurt and had to bow out. Sulia

Portland Trail Blazers, USA Basketball, LaMarcus Aldridge, Spain, World Championship 

Me: Is the future for you here in Portland clearer now than maybe it was last season? LaMarcus Aldridge: Yeah. I think they've definitely made some big steps in the right direction, bringing in Dame, re-signing Nic, having Wes, having J.J., they've made some steps in the right direction. I think they can go even further this upcoming summer to bring in some more guys -- Me: Somebody large would be helpful, right? LA: Yeah. You know, I love J.J. He's good for us. But somebody seven foot, 7-foot-1, a lot taller than me, that would be great. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Me: You're in the prime of your career. Dirk [Nowitzki] is going through rebuilding at the end of his career, and Dallas is struggling. How skeptical were you about doing that here? LA: I was scared. I'm not gonna lie. Because we did have a rocky start. But everybody's been good about it, working hard, trying to get better, trying to take advantage of everything we have here -- resources, watching film, getting in the gym with Dame and Nic and Wes and myself. I think everybody's doing their part, and I think J.J. Hickson has been big for us this year. I can't leave him out. He's been massive on the boards, a guy every night that I think has been big for us, too. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Not even a car accident on his way to playing in the Trail Blazers game. For the second time in the last 11 months, Aldridge on Monday was involved in a car accident on his way to the Blazers game, and for the second time, he played like nothing was awry. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Last February, not far from Monday’s accident site, a car changed lanes and collided with Aldridge’s 2009 Ferrari. The two cars became interlocked, and Aldridge’s prized possession ended up beached on the curb. “I don’t know what it is, I keep getting hit by people,’’ Aldridge said chuckling. “I was like: ‘Not again.’ But this time it wasn’t as bad.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Judging from his last accident, the Benz might have seen it’s last ride to the Rose Garden. Aldridge said once his 2009 black Ferrari got back from the body shop, he sold it. “It’s like your girlfriend cheating on you,’’ Aldridge said of his decision to sell the Ferrari. “After she cheats, you don’t want her anymore. So I got rid of it.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Joe Freeman: Although @LaMarcus Aldridge fell from 10th to 12th in All-Star frontcourt voting in 2nd returns, the #Blazers PF says he should be All-Star. Twitter @BlazerFreeman

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, All-Star 

During the Blazers’ recent homestand, a respected and veteran beat reporter approached me and told me that an assistant coach for the team he covered said the Blazers are shopping LaMarcus Aldridge. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, LaMarcus Aldridge 

I asked him directly if he is shopping Aldridge. It was as if I had told Olshey the best joke he had ever heard. In fact, I think he is still laughing as I write this. Olshey said he has made zero calls to other teams about Aldridge. He did say he has fielded one inquiry from another team, but it was more exploratory in nature, that team feeling the Blazers out. And he said he has no plans to make any future calls about Aldridge as February approaches. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, LaMarcus Aldridge 

So teams can whisper that Aldridge is available. And teams inquire all they want. Olshey said the Blazers won’t make a move unless it makes them a better team. Not down the road. Not next season. But from the next day forward. “Until you get enough phone calls for the message to get around the league that we are not breaking this up to rebuild, that we are building from where we are, (rumors) will probably still be out there,’’ Olshey said. “But clearly, trading a 27-year old All-Star like LaMarcus doesn’t get you better today.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge did a little more at practice Friday and could be back for Saturday’s home game against Phoenix after sitting out the Trail Blazers’ victory over Denver on Thursday with an ankle injury. “I feel better,” Aldridge said. “I did some shooting, some light cutting today. A little tender, but for the most part, I felt good.” Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, Injuries