Current Spur: LaMarcus Aldridge

[Bruno]

Born: Jul 19, 1985
Height: 6-11 / 2.11
Weight: 240 lbs. / 108.9 kg.
Prior to NBA / Country: Texas / USA
Years Pro: 6

Info

[Chinook]

Thanks, Bruno.

This would totally be a swing-for-the-fences type of move, and it would burn pretty much all of the team's cap space unless they traded players like Green or Diaw. But given the Blazers' interest in Splitter, I'd say it's pretty possible the teams would work out a deal if they want to. What works in the Spurs' favor is that Portland seems desperate for a center after losing out on Hibbert last season. If Pop and Co. feel that Baynes can be a good backup center, then it's totally worth it in my mind to make the trade, despite LA's injury issues.

[Knoxxx]

Initially I had this guy mixed up with Demarcus Cousins. Holy smokes he has even better numbers 21 and 9, really?!? No way I could see Portland being dumb enough to give us this guy for Splitter?

[Knoxxx]

Why is Aldridge not an adquate center for Portland and why would Splitter be?

[Chinook]

Why is Aldridge not an adquate center for Portland and why would Splitter be?

Aldridge in sort of like Bosh in that he can score inside, but he's more of a mid-range big. Bosh seems more willing to bang inside on defense, though, which isn't LA's thing at all (defense in general, actually). At first, the team just wanted a center to play NEXT to Aldridge, but now that he's getting on in years and costing so much, they're trying to get a PnR center to play with Lillard.

[Knoxxx]

A big with any offensive game is huge compared to Splitter who we can't even keep on the court against the Heat. 21 PTs per game is huge! Really what we need is someone who can help anchor the second unit while resting Tim without letting the other team go on a run. So there I am placing scoring at a premium in comparison to defense.

I do see that LA at least gets 1.2 blocks per game. In our system we could at least hope he offers the rim protection of Splitter and if we need a physical big to body a Gasol or Howard there is still Baynes.

[Chinook]

Don't overlook the Baynes factor, either. He could be a good defensive anchor for the bench, and he's also good in the PnR, which should help replace some of what they'd lose with Splitter.

[benefactor]

Instant West champion move...barring injuries, of course.

[CGD]

Hmm, not sure about this one. I still think they want a center to go with LA. Also they won't have to really pay Lillard until LA's big deal is off the books. Their contracts aren't exactly bad tbh.

If LA is moved, I still think they try to pry Tiago first before moving him in a separate deal. They certainly have the capspace.

[Strategic]

I've always been a big fan of Aldridge. I think he would fit great with the Spurs.

[CGD]

Aldridge's D is terrible, but makes up for it on O.
Sounds like the same criticisms folks make about Al Jefferson as a fit on the spurs.

[Knoxxx]

Instant West champion move...barring injuries, of course.

I'm viewing it about as realistic as Howard to the Spurs at this point...

[ace3g]

[Chinook]

One thing I'll say about LA is that his game is really ugly nowadays. He's taking a lot of strange jump shots that just happen to go in on those highlights. He seriously reminds me of Randolph in the 2011 series against the Spurs. When you compare that video with one from a couple of years ago, the difference is astounding.

EDIT: Here's an example of Prime Aldridge (from two years ago). You can't tell me that he hasn't fallen off.

[look_at_g_shred]

Have always loved this guys game!! Maybe Spurs can work out a deal with the blazers since they are already interested in Splitter. They could throw Neal in the deal. The blazers really need scoring help coming off the bench.

[baseline bum]

Portland's not trading LaMarcus Algridge for Tiago Splitter

Let's trade Manu for Harden next!

[Chinook]

Portland's not trading LaMarcus Algridge for Tiago Splitter

Let's trade Manu for Harden next!

Or Harden for Kevin Martin

or Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins

or Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown

or...

I don't think I'm doing it right...

[CGD]

Not sure im sold but if the spurs are gonna lose Splitter, might as well try to get something in return. Can't think of better value to start next to Tim on the offensive end. Spacing would not be an issue. Dude looks to need a fresh start. D is a concern but spurs would be losing splitter anyway.

what gets it done? Splitter (10M) + DeColo (1.4M) + 28th (900k) for LA (14.6M)? Spurs would have to eat about 2.3M.
the other option is to include Bonner for DeColo, but I'd like to keep him for a draft day deal if possible.

[baseline bum]

Or Harden for Kevin Martin

or Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins

or Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown

or...

I don't think I'm doing it right...

Kwame Brown was an expiring deal and the Grizzlies were looking to slash payroll. Whereas here the Blazers would be shipping out their best player to overpay someone much worse.

[DesignatedT]

[Chinook]

Kwame Brown was an expiring deal and the Grizzlies were looking to slash payroll. Whereas here the Blazers would be shipping out their best player to overpay someone much worse.

The point is that it's not absurd that players get traded for packages that do not include a near-equal player coming back. There are always extenuating cir stances that drive the trades, and Aldridge's health issues and contract are big ones here. Even if he's overpaid, Splitter is slated to cost about half of what LA will cost for the next two seasons. That difference opens up a max contract that they can use to overpay for another player (like Smith or Evans).

The fact is Aldridge hasn't really gotten them anywhere in six years, so he certainly shouldn't be untouchable now that he's starting to show some troubling signs of slowing down. Moving him for Splitter is certainly not any worse than moving Rudy Gay for Tayshaun Prince.

[benefactor]

I can't believe how people are overrating Aldridge. He's a good player but let's not act like he some sort of franchise big. The Blazers might not do a Splitter/1st rounder deal but they aren't getting another star in return or multiple starting level players...especially considering his contract and history.

[Chinook]

Not sure im sold but if the spurs are gonna lose Splitter, might as well try to get something in return. Can't think of better value to start next to Tim on the offensive end. Spacing would not be an issue. Dude looks to need a fresh start. D is a concern but spurs would be losing splitter anyway.

what gets it done? Splitter (10M) + DeColo (1.4M) + 28th (900k) for LA (14.6M)? Spurs would have to eat about 2.3M.
the other option is to include Bonner for DeColo, but I'd like to keep him for a draft day deal if possible.

If Splitter gets a deal that big, then the Spurs can actually trade him while going under the cap, which would be amazing. They serious could pursue a free agent like Evans and trade for Aldridge in the same off-season. Before your post, I considered it an either/or thing.

[CGD]

If Splitter gets a deal that big, then the Spurs can actually trade him while going under the cap, which would be amazing. They serious could pursue a free agent like Evans and trade for Aldridge in the same off-season. Before your post, I considered it an either/or thing.

I'm assuming that the Spurs would match anything upto 10m, so that's why I used that figure as the baseline. The extra capspace should enable Portland to pursue another max player like Josh Smith (which you mention elsewhere, I forget), essentially replacing LA.

Im still intrigued by Dallas' 13th pick (i like Adams), and if it takes someone accepting Marion's deal in return I think the Spurs can offer Dallas great relief to pursue Howard by trading Bonner's partial (4m) + Patty (1.1) and eating the difference. Marion would be a good backup SF and the Spurs draft size to groom next year in anticipation of Diaw/Duncan leaving.

i haven't done the math to see whether they have the capspace to do both deals, but it seems to be in the ballpark. Of course the biggest weakness I still see is getting another creator, so I'm partial to Evans. If both deals can be done, that would be somethingsomething

[Chinook]

I'm assuming that the Spurs would match anything upto 10m, so that's why I used that figure as the baseline. The extra capspace should enable Portland to pursue another max player like Josh Smith (which you mention elsewhere, I forget), essentially replacing LA.

Im still intrigued by Dallas' 13th pick (i like Adams), and if it takes someone accepting Marion's deal in return I think the Spurs can offer Dallas great relief to pursue Howard by trading Bonner's partial (4m) + Patty (1.1) and eating the difference. Marion would be a good backup SF and the Spurs draft size to groom next year in anticipation of Diaw/Duncan leaving.

i haven't done the math to see whether they have the capspace to do both deals, but it seems to be in the ballpark. Of course the biggest weakness I still see is getting another creator, so I'm partial to Evans. If both deals can be done, that would be somethingsomething

I'll go ahead and confirm that they do have the cap space to do both deal, provided Ginobili takes the room exception. They'll have about $11 Million if they renounce Ginobili and keep Splitter's cap hold. They'd need to extend a QO to Neal. Then, they can use $9.4 Million on Marion, use the other bit for the cap holds from their first-rounders, (it takes about that much for both of their cap holds). Then they can do the Aldridge trade, which takes them over the cap by about $4 Million. Then they can re-sign Ginobili to the room exception. Then they can either re-sign Neal or S&T him. Finally, they can sign their draft picks. All that will push the Spurs to a roster size of 14 and about $69 Million in salary, which is just under the tax, but under enough to sign a player like a second-rounder or someone to fill in mid-season.

Wow, that would be one of an off-season.