During ESPN’s “The Jump,” reporter Marc Spears says NBA General Managers, executives and scouts are saying Southwest Division teams will be active around the trade deadline, including the San Antonio Spurs. And according to Spears, the Spurs are shopping LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. “Another name is San Antonio, is kind of surprising” Spears said. “LaMarcus Aldridge’s name has been bandied about. Also, a little bit I’m hearing is DeMar DeRozan.”
NBA Rumor: LaMarcus Aldridge Trade?
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People around the league still wonder what the Spurs will do with DeRozan, 31, and with Aldridge, 35, who will both be unrestricted free agents this coming offseason. Aldridge has been fine offensively but a total liability on defense. His effort on closeouts is abysmal.
If Poeltl could shoot jumpers, or at least free throws, he’d be the superior choice to start. Rival executives have a tough time getting a read on the Spurs, which is why they’re seldom involved in trade rumblings. Aldridge’s value is declining quickly, but any team in need of a championship boost should at least think about exploring deals for DeRozan. If the Spurs are willing to dangle DeRozan in trades, he could end up the best player available on the market.
While outsiders await a potential trade that ships out a veteran like LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan or Patty Mills, No. 11 San Antonio is optimistic that the experience its younger players gained in the bubble will make the Spurs a playoff sleeper. No. 13 New Orleans is one of the more difficult teams to assess and figures to have a puncher’s chance to reach the postseason purely based on the track record of its new coach, Stan Van Gundy, and Zion Williamson’s promising preseason. Golden State, of course, is expected to bounce back from the league’s worst record (15-50) to contend for a playoff berth — even with Klay Thompson out for the season after he tore his right Achilles’ tendon in November.
I’m told Golden State would prefer to add a veteran rotation player and move back in the lottery in exchange for this pick, with Andrew Wiggins and his massive salary a candidate to move elsewhere to make money work. They are certainly comfortable picking further down based on the players they’ve worked out. The most logical trade partners here are San Antonio and Detroit: Both can use a long-term center in Wiseman, have lottery picks to send back, and can offer All-Star-caliber bigs (albeit aging ones) in LaMarcus Aldridge or Blake Griffin, respectively.
Lakers interested in DeMar DeRozan?
They’re also looking to unload LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan; I’ve heard the Lakers have interest in acquiring DeRozan (for Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green), and as mentioned, the Warriors may want Aldridge.
Warriors considering trading for LaMarcus Aldridge?
The rumor mill surrounding what the Warriors are going to do with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft has been churning for weeks, and with the draft just a week away, it’s starting to ramp up. Today’s rumor comes from one of the most plugged in NBA reporters, Zach Lowe, who has had people tell him that there is buzz surrounding a trade between the Warriors and Spurs, that would send the No. 2 pick to San Antonio, and LaMarcus Aldridge to the Warriors.
“Someone within the league today texted me, ‘Hey there’s a little bit of buzz about No. 2 to San Antonio for LaMarcus Aldridge and No. 11,’” Lowe said on the most recent episode of the “Lowe Post” podcast. “And obviously there would have to be salary going out. And my response was, that’s crazy. The Warriors should not do that. You don’t trade the No. 2 pick for LaMarcus Aldridge, and I don’t care if you’re getting No. 11.”
Warriors interested in LaMarcus Aldridge?
Zach Lowe: Someone within the League today texted me and said ‘hey, there is a little bit of buzz about No. 2 to San Antonio for LaMarcus Aldridge and No. 11, and obviously there has to be salary going out.’ And my response was ‘That’s crazy! The Warriors should not do that.’
San Antonio power forward LaMarcus Aldridge: He’s no longer the All Star that Pat Riley took to dinner five years ago. But even at 35, he’s still quite effective, averaging 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds last season and shooting 38.9 percent on threes. If the top names on Miami’s 2021 priority list don’t materialize, Aldridge would be a possibility on a one-year deal. He also could be a trade option this offseason.
LaMarcus Aldridge back to Portland?
The Spurs could shop Aldridge again this offseason. Aldridge had repaired his relationship with Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, and one agent suggests the Spurs could ship him back to the Blazers.
Aldridge will make $24 million next year, and co-star DeMar DeRozan has a $27 million player option. Near the NBA’s trade deadline, the Spurs were rumored to be shopping Aldridge, but rival executives suggest the Spurs “overplayed their hand thinking they were supposed to get some giant package for him,” one NBA executive said.
From Trail Blazers’ Twitter account, Damian Lillard says he wants to add Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge
From Trail Blazers’ Twitter account, Damian Lillard says he wants to add Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge
According to Windhorst, this is because the Spurs did not make an attempt at trading assets including DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge before the deadline he told ESPN San Antonio. I heard nothing about either player being available. It’s not the Spurs style. I didn’t hear anything about them at the deadline.
The San Antonio Spurs have explored trade scenarios involving LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. The Spurs have considered “liquidating everybody” but they have also game planned trying to upgrade their existing roster. “They’ve asked for a lot from teams (for Aldridge and DeRozan),” said Adrian Wojnarowski on the Woj & Lowe Trade Deadline Special. The Spurs are “probably going to go forward” keeping Aldridge and DeRozan.
Spurs undecided about trading Aldridge, DeRozan
A source in contact with the Spurs said San Antonio hasn’t decided what to do regarding LaMarcus Aldridge and Demar DeRozan but that it views the Heat as a potential trade partner if it decides to make a move with either one.
Though there’s no indication of any aggressive Heat pursuit of either at this time, one source said Heat/Spurs contact was expected, if it hasn’t happened already. Pat Riley previously pursued both players when they were free agents and both have deals with only one more full season.
Aldridge, who has been on a recent roll from three-point range (20 for his last 40), would appear to be the far more logical target because the Heat could use another skilled, accomplished power rotation player. An informed source said the Spurs would want more than simply an injured Winslow and Derrick Jones Jr. and expiring contracts. Kendrick Nunn could entice the Spurs, but whether Miami would be willing is another story.
LaMarcus Aldridge might not be on the market right now. But here’s betting the Spurs would find an eager taker if they put him there. Obviously, the situation in San Antonio bears stark differences to the one in Cleveland. For one, the Spurs head into tonight’s game at Boston holding the eighth seed in the Western Conference, a 22-year playoff streak, and a head coach who probably isn’t interested in a midseason rebuild. For another, not only has Aldridge given no indication he wants out of San Antonio, he’s continued to be a model teammate. Sure, there have been occasional games when he inexplicably goes into passive mode, but for the most part he’s been his usual productive self.
The Spurs have decisions to make on the futures of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. “This is a different day for this organization,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “They lived in a separate, parallel universe of the NBA because of the continuity they had.”
It is difficult for Boston to cobble together enough salary to add a major piece without including one of its core players. Boston does have Daniel Theis ($5M), Enes Kanter ($4.8M), all its own first-rounders and additional picks from Milwaukee and Memphis, but that’s not enough money to target a player like the Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge or the Cavaliers’ Kevin Love — unless Boston is willing to put Marcus Smart or Gordon Hayward in a deal, which is unlikely to happen.
As far as teams that could pop up as potential Aldridge suitors, HoopsHype asked various NBA executives for their thoughts on the matter, and one of the first landing spots that was mentioned was a familiar team for the big man: “The Portland Trail Blazers could make sense,” a Western Conference exec told us. “Would Portland give up Hassan Whiteside plus Zach Collins or a pick?”
Portland wasn’t the only team mentioned for Aldridge. Another one that came up was the Denver Nuggets, who are 13-4 and aren’t even playing their best basketball yet. “Maybe Denver could be a destination for Aldridge,” a Western Conference executive mentioned to HoopsHype. “If they think he can play the 4, it could make sense. He probably can’t play the 4 at this stage, but I don’t know how other front offices feel. Malik Beasley and Mason Plumlee for LaMarcus is one possible trade scenario.”
A third Western Conference club was also brought up as a potential destination for Aldridge. The Phoenix Suns, losers in six of their last seven games after a surprisingly strong start to the season, were mentioned by a Western Conference executive, though he questioned if they had the salaries to match San Antonio on such a deal.
Finally, the Sacramento Kings were the last team mentioned by league execs for Aldridge. “Would Sacramento trade [multiple salaries] and picks for Aldridge?” an NBA executive wondered. “I’m not positive if the money works, but can Aldridge step in and teach Marvin Bagley?”
The Celtics can be a legitimate threat to win the East, the thinking goes, but will need a big, multi-faceted center who can match up both with Philadelphia’s interior behemoth Joel Embiid to do so. and Milwaukee’s perimeter-oriented Brook Lopez. Among the candidates: Indiana’s Myles Turner and San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge. But the Pacers would be unlikely, sources have told Heavy.com, to trade Turner in the Eastern Conference, if at all.
LaMarcus Aldridge has said he could envision himself playing with Damian Lillard again. Could it happen via a reunion in Portland? Spurs insider @JabariJYoung thinks so. “I think at the end of the day, someway, somehow, LaMarcus will be back in Portland.” #RipCity
Last season, a deep rift developed between the team and All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, to the point where Aldridge called former teammate Damian Lillard and asked him to approach general manager Neil Olshey about bringing Aldridge back to Portland, a person familiar with the conversation told B/R.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked what helped to bring about LaMarcus Aldridge’s resurgence: “When he said, ‘I want to be traded.’ It’s as simple as that. I said, ‘Woah, nobody’s ever said that to me before.’ It’s my 20-whatever year, and nobody’s ever said that like, ‘I’m not enjoying this. I’m not confident. I’m not sure you want me here. I want to be traded.’”
Popovich was asked if that conversation took place after the season. “Yes, yes. I thought that’s already been public? So, we had some dinners and meetings and laughed. I was very candid with him. I told him, ‘I’d be happy to trade you. You get me a talent like Kevin Durant, and I’ll drive you to the airport. I’ll pack your bags. And I will drive you there, get you on the plane, and get you seated.’
Gregg Popovich: “As discussions went on, it became apparent to me that it really was me. He’s been playing in the league for nine years. I’m not going to turn him into some other player. I could do some things defensively or rebounding-wise. But on offense, I was going to move him everywhere. That was just silly on my part. Total overcoaching. So, we took care of it, and he’s been fantastic.”
Aldridge has had an up-and-down tenure with the Spurs across his two seasons since signing as a free agent from Portland. San Antonio did discuss trade scenarios with teams centered on Aldridge in this off season, league sources said. At times, Aldridge hasn’t been happy with the franchise, and the franchise hasn’t been happy with him. Nevertheless, Aldridge arrived into training camp in strong shape and with a better relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Both sides understand that the uncertainty of free agency next summer could make an extension a wise option.
LaMarcus Aldridge wants his mystery fan to know he’s appreciative of a recent billboard created in his honor. “I’ve seen it, but I don’t know where it came from,” said Aldridge before the Spurs played the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game Friday evening. “I have nothing to do with it. … But it was cool.”
“I like it,” Aldridge said. “I appreciate it, especially after the summer with everything (trade rumors) that was going around. So, I’m thankful for whoever done it. I want to say thank you because I actually like it.” The Spurs did not grant permission for Aldridge’s image to be displayed on the billboard, but the team has no plans to request the photo be removed.
Melissa Rohlin: Aldridge on trade rumors: “I don’t take it personal anymore.”
ESPN’s Marc Stein first reported that the Spurs are attempting to create salary-cap flexibility to pursue Chris Paul this summer, and a combo acquisition of the Clippers’ All-Star point guard and Iguodala has been discussed internally, sources say. The Spurs have made LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green available for trades, according to sources.
Tom Orsborn: Buford when asked if Aldridge asked for trade: “We are happy with the group we have. If we can make it better, we will do it.” #Spurs
Jason Quick: Update: Source indicates no way Aldridge to Portland will happen.
According to a person with knowledge of the Spurs forward’s situation, it’s the 31-year-old’s unhappiness in San Antonio that is the driving force behind the Spurs’ trade talks on Thursday. The five-time All-Star, according to the person, is hopeful that San Antonio can find a better fit for his talents.
According to a person with knowledge of the Suns’ situation, it appears unlikely that Aldridge is Phoenix-bound anytime soon. While the Suns have the No. 4 pick and could likely put a package together to appease the Spurs, the person said there was “nothing there.”
Sean Deveney: Asked a GM abt LaMarcus Aldridge trade value. Said, “Fact he wants out of San Antonio says a lot about whether you want him on your team.”
Marc Stein: Any team trading for LaMarcus Aldridge has to know it can re-sign him. Which surely hampers San Antonio’s efforts to acquire a top-10 pick
RJ Marquez: ESPN @Ramona Shelburne just said #Spurs having ‘conversations’ about possible Aldridge/Danny Green deals, SA/Chris Paul interest remains high pic.twitter.com/SJ8PZBo6n3
As the Spurs investigate ways to trade up in today’s draft, an interesting name as surfaced as a potential ticket into the lottery: LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs have spoken to a handful of teams attempting to find a trade partner in a deal involving the five-time All-Star, league sources say. The asking price for Aldridge is steep. The Spurs would like to move into the top 10.
Spurs shopping LaMarcus Aldridge
The San Antonio Spurs, in pursuit of a top-10 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, have spoken to at least three teams about a possible trade involving power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, sources confirmed to ESPN. Signed to an $84 million contract in 2015 as the club’s most significant acquisition in free agency, Aldridge received widespread criticism for his play in the 2017 postseason, as he averaged a career-low 16.5 points per game in the playoffs along with career lows in player efficiency rating (15.2) and blocks (1.0).
As for his level of contentment, Aldridge — who reminds skeptics how the Spurs won a franchise-record 67 games in his first season there before falling to Oklahoma City in the second round — swears there’s nothing to see here. “That’s just media,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “And that’s why I don’t get into it. The organization is happy with me, and I’m happy with them, and as long as we keep a good relationship then everything is fine.
“That’s just media,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “And that’s why I don’t get into it. The organization is happy with me, and I’m happy with them, and as long as we keep a good relationship then everything is fine. It’s been great. My family is closer (to him in Texas than when he was in Portland). I’m closer to home (Dallas), and I’m in California during the summer (Newport Beach) so it’s just nice being in Texas year-round now.”
Adrian Wojnarowski on why the rumors about LaMarcus Aldridge’s future started in San Antonio: “I don’t know where that’s coming from. They’re in a ‘win now” mindset. … I’m not sure he’s ever really happy. He’s not happy in Portland because he doesn’t have a supporting cast. Then, they draft an All-Star point guard and he’s not happy…”
Tom Orsborn: Aldridge said no one from #Spurs has talked to him about trade rumors, nor has he asked: “This team is 1st class. I’d have known already.”
To address this rumor, LaMarcus Aldridge appeared on The Jim Rome Show to talk about the report and squashed it immediately. Aldridge said he is not buying into the rumor, citing he is happy in San Antonio, likes he is part of the on-the-court leadership with Kawhi Leonard, and is enjoying the winning culture. “I didn’t buy into it. I haven’t heard anything about it. I talked to Pop (head coach Gregg Popovich) daily and he’s always telling me that I’m doing great,” Aldridge said. “Trying to be a more of a leader. He’s put me in positions where I can be more of a leader. As long as the guys here aren’t saying bad things to me. All my teammates have said nothing but great things to me.”
LaMarcus Aldridge: “I’m winning. Of course I’m happy. That’s why I don’t buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I’ve done everything that they’ve asked. That’s why I haven’t bought into the rumors.”
Asked if the rumors are a distraction for the Spurs as they prepare for Friday’s preseason finale against the Houston Rockets, Gasol said, “Not at all. It hasn’t been brought up or anything. But it’s weird.” Gasol said it helps that the players learned long ago to focus only on what they can control. “Some things are completely out of your control,” he said. “I always say, you control what you can control. You control what’s in your hands. Wake up with a smiling face, go to work and feel blessed. You have an incredible job. If stuff happens because people make certain decisions about you, this is a business at the end of the day, and you just continue to do what you do and be who you are. Don’t let that affect your daily routine. Don’t let that affect your behavior. Just continue to be true to yourself and control what you can control.”
When Aldridge opted to sign with the Spurs, he was led to believe he’d be the future of the franchise in much the way Tim Duncan took the mantle from David Robinson. The belief was that Aldridge would spend a year learning the “Spurs’ way” and would then lead the team forward with Kawhi Leonard as his wingman. That was the plan as Aldridge’s camp understood it. That is not how it’s playing out. Leonard has emerged as the better fit as “the franchise player” and Aldridge is being pushed into the No. 2 role (and sometimes No. 3) depending on how the Spurs play. Leonard finished second in Most Valuable Player voting last season.
This has become a source of frustration, mainly because the Spurs are not going to be the championship contender Aldridge thought he was joining and he won’t be the focal-point guy who becomes an All-Star. The other part, according to those around the situation, is that Gregg Popovich isn’t coddling him or treating him like the primary guy. Not that Aldridge requires that, but it’s becoming clear that he may not be the guy the Spurs thought he’d be.
Sources close to the situation say that there has been zero talk of trading Aldridge and that any suggestion of the Spurs being open to it is misplaced. But what those around the situation are seeing (and talking about) is that the honeymoon for both the Spurs and Aldridge is clearly over. Both sides were open to the learning process the first year, but now both sides seem to want the other to deliver on their end of the promise.
LaMarcus Aldridge unhappy in San Antonio?
Those close to the situation suggest Aldridge may not be happy at the moment. The belief is the Spurs pitched him on becoming the center of their offense when they recruited him in 2015, and that hasn’t occurred with the rise of Kawhi Leonard. However, a team source said there are currently no problems with Aldridge, adding he is apart of the Spurs’ future.
In the start of year two, it appears the LaMarcus Aldridge experiment in San Antonio is in danger of collapsing. The Express-News has been informed by a league source the Spurs are open to trading the former Longhorn should the right package surface. Those within the Spurs refuted the suggestion, saying no talks have occurred with any team.
This isn’t the first time rumors surrounding Aldridge’s future with San Antonio have surfaced. Last season, there were rumblings in NBA circles that Aldridge wanted to be traded before the All-Star break, maybe to a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Spurs didn’t bite, though, won 67 games and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
I’m doing what I can to confirm these, and will update this story as soon as I’m able. In the meanwhile, we’re left wondering what exactly might be going wrong. UPDATE: I heard back from my Spurs source, and the team denies Jackie MacMullan’s report.
Some in NBA circles speculate Aldridge may not be with the Spurs by the end of his deal, which runs through the end of next season, with a player option worth roughly $22 million for the 2018-19 season.
LaMarcus Aldridge rumors shot down
Jeff McDonald: FWIW, Spurs sources are denying trade talks involving LaMarcus Aldridge have taken place.
The Boston Celtics are in a position to trade for a player of Aldridge’s caliber, should he become available, due to the value of the players on their roster and future picks. “Sources were telling me the other day that LaMarcus Aldridge may not even finish the year with the Spurs. That experiment hasn’t quite worked out the way they’d hoped. I think there’s going to be a lot of shifting around. That (Nets) pick is going to be very, very valuable,” said Jackie Macmullen.
The odds are against any deal happening. Signing Gasol to a two-year deal (with a player option for 2017-18) is something of an all-in move, and even if Gasol opts out after this season, the Aldridge-Leonard combo is a shiny lure for free agents. But if the season unfolds the wrong way, here’s betting the Spurs at least listen.
February 27, 2021 | 9:03 pm EST Update
Jrue Holiday likely to return after 10 games out
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: After missing 10 consecutive games in the league’s health and safety protocol, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is likely to return to the lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Nets Daily: Woj says Sean Marks told him yesterday that @James Harden reminds him of @Manu Ginobili in terms of his court vision.
Fred Katz: 10th triple-double of the season for Russell Westbrook, who has 17-12-12 so far tonight. Wizards up 19 now in the third quarter.
Jovan Buha: No surprises on the Lakers’ injury report vs. Golden State tomorrow: LeBron James (left ankle sprain) is probable. Anthony Davis (right calf strain) is out.
Jason Anderson: Kings rookie Tyrese Haliburton (left calf soreness) is out for Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Rod Boone: Devonte’ Graham remains out for tomorrow night’s game vs. Sacramento. Cody Zeller (left hip contusion) is questionable.
Gerald Bourguet: After missing Friday night’s game against the Bulls, Dario Saric (right ankle sprain) is once again listed as questionable for tomorrow’s Suns game
