NBA Free Agents Rumors: Will LaMarcus Aldridge Leave Portland Trail Blazers in the Offseason?
LaMarcus Aldridge will become a free agent in the offseason and reports indicated that there is good chance the All-Star power forward will sign with another team in the offseason.
And on Thursday, Amy Schwartz of 750 The Game reported that Aldridge is already selling his house in Portland, which fueled speculation that the 29-year-old power forward will not return to the Trail Blazers next season.
Aldridge previously turned down extension offer from the Trail Blazers and is determined to test free agency this summer. The nine-year veteran is expected to draw interest of several teams in the offseason.
The San Antonio Spurs are among the teams expected to make run at signing Aldridge. According to Vincent Frank of Forbes, the Spurs do not usually go after a marquee free agent, but the fact that Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are not as effective as they were before could force the Spurs to make a shakeup.
The Dallas Mavericks are also expected to make a strong push to sign Aldridge this summer. The Mavericks have proven before that they are willing to spend in order to improve their roster.
The Mavericks will also have cap room to add another superstar in the offseason with the expected departure of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, who had a troublesome first year in Dallas. Veteran center Tyson Chandler will also become a free agent in the offseason.
Aside from the Mavericks and Spurs, previous reports indicated that Aldridge will likely get an offer from the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks, who are expected to become very active in free agency this summer.
Aldridge remains mum about his plans this summer. Mike Richman of The Oregonian recently said Aldridge is too unpredictable. He thinks the Blazers still have the edge, but he is also not ruling out the long-rumored move to a contender after failing to go deep into the playoffs while playing in Portland.
"LaMarcus Aldridge is tough to read. Judging by his comments at media day alone, I'd say the Trail Blazers have a slight edge over the field in terms of retaining him. However, I do think he takes serious consideration into joining another contending team," Richman told Oregon Live in a roundtable discussion.
Aldridge, who averaged 23.4 points on top of 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game this season, spent his first nine years in the league in Portland after he was traded by the Chicago Bulls on draft night in 2006.
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