Zach Lowe: League executives believe Spurs may offer max to LaMarcus Aldridge

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

12. This could be random, but nearly a half-dozen executives from different teams mentioned the possibility of the Spurs luring LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency with a max contract.

Let me be clear, my beloved Portland maniacs: I do not see this happening. Repeat: I do not see this happening. Aldridge isn’t the type to say stuff lightly, so it meant a lot — to everyone — when he declared so emphatically in July that he would sign a new five-year contract this summer and hopefully go down as the “best Blazer ever.”

It’s always wise to take sunny public comments about free agency with a pile of salt, but Aldridge is a bit of a different cat in this regard. Still: I found it interesting that after having heard very little San Antonio/Aldridge talk of any kind, ever, a bunch of unconnected higher-ups suddenly started mentioning it over the last two weeks. Someone said something to start the rumor mill churning, and the Blazers have always considered one of Aldridge’s home-state Texas teams the biggest threat to snag him away.

San Antonio waited on a Kawhi Leonard extension precisely to hoard max cap space this summer in case both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire. Dallas could have max-level space, though it’d have to renounce several very good free agents to get it. Houston would need to cut some salary, but it also has the goods to put together a solid sign-and-trade offer if Aldridge makes it known he’d prefer to go there.

This is probably much ado about very little. Aldridge is in a wonderful spot as the co-centerpiece of a top team, with a superstar point guard, a smart coach/GM combo, and a nucleus of prime-age veterans — most of whom are also free agents the Blazers could re-sign this summer via Bird rights. Portland can offer him one more year and about $30 million more than any other suitor.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/13...ague-showcase/

[testies]

nooooo

[Cklbmk]

Good fit with Tiago

[KL2]

Doubt he comes here, Spurs will probably be throwing money at a couple of guys...

[Chinook]

Aldridge made it known that he's prioritzing money. I doubt he leaves the Blazers now. However, maybe if they get smacked down in in the first round this spring, he'll be open to a move. Portland may have prime-aged veterans, but they also seem to have a hard cap on their potential. LA's not young, so a championship-tested core may appeal to him more than hoping Lillard goes supernova for 16 games in the playoffs and the Blazers can avoid the Spurs.

Still, it's incredibly important to note that THE SPURS DO NOT HAVE MAX CAP SPACE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER UNLESS THEY UNLOAD SOME OF THEIR OWN PRIME-AGED CORE. If they could unload Diaw for nothing, then they'd have the space. But that totally negate the point of signing a win-now piece in the first place.

[DarrinS]

I don't see this happening.

[Mel_13]

This is probably much ado about very little.

THE SPURS DO NOT HAVE MAX CAP SPACE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER UNLESS THEY UNLOAD SOME OF THEIR OWN PRIME-AGED CORE.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Aldridge made it known that he's prioritzing money. I doubt he leaves the Blazers now. However, maybe if they get smacked down in in the first round this spring, he'll be open to a move. Portland may have prime-aged veterans, but they also seem to have a hard cap on their potential. LA's not young, so a championship-tested core may appeal to him more than hoping Lillard goes supernova for 16 games in the playoffs and the Blazers can avoid the Spurs.

Still, it's incredibly important to note that THE SPURS DO NOT HAVE MAX CAP SPACE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER UNLESS THEY UNLOAD SOME OF THEIR OWN PRIME-AGED CORE. If they could unload Diaw for nothing, then they'd have the space. But that totally negate the point of signing a win-now piece in the first place.

Thanks for the bold caps.

I wondered what Lowe was saying when he said "max cap space" in case TD AND Manu retired.

There's Danny Green to be signed, not to mention working out Kawhi's max extension even if they sign him via Bird rights and over the cap.

I just wish TD atleast plays for a year more on a decentish contract. He could still be among the best bigs in the league next year as well.

[look_at_g_shred]

Stopped reading at this could be random.

[FromWayDowntown]

Spurs don't ever make plays for big free agents. #mostofspurstalkwhensomemarginalguysignswitharival

[ElNono]

That would be the end of championships, tbh...

[100%duncan]

Aldridge made it known that he's prioritzing money. I doubt he leaves the Blazers now. However, maybe if they get smacked down in in the first round this spring, he'll be open to a move. Portland may have prime-aged veterans, but they also seem to have a hard cap on their potential. LA's not young, so a championship-tested core may appeal to him more than hoping Lillard goes supernova for 16 games in the playoffs and the Blazers can avoid the Spurs.

Still, it's incredibly important to note that THE SPURS DO NOT HAVE MAX CAP SPACE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER UNLESS THEY UNLOAD SOME OF THEIR OWN PRIME-AGED CORE. If they could unload Diaw for nothing, then they'd have the space. But that totally negate the point of signing a win-now piece in the first place.

Thanks

[100%duncan]

Aldridge would be nice, actually I will be even happy, but we gotta give up a lot so no. Impossible.

[Pauleta14]

Timmy won't retire this summer so...

[Mr. Body]

The only draw for LMA is that he's from Texas. Otherwise Portland is a great situation for him -- fantastic point guard, good FO, exceptional fan base. The future of the Spurs looks good but less certain.

Regardless, I expect Duncan and probably even Ginobili to return for one more year.

[hater]

That would be the end of championships, tbh...

Duncan retiring? of course it is. ppl actually think otherwise?

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

The only draw for LMA is that he's from Texas. Otherwise Portland is a great situation for him -- fantastic point guard, good FO, exceptional fan base. The future of the Spurs looks good but less certain.

Regardless, I expect Duncan and probably even Ginobili to return for one more year.

I expect Duncan and Manu to return another season. Now that everyone is healthy (minus Beli), expect to see more wins while reduce minutes for Manu and Tim.

[ElNono]

Duncan retiring? of course it is. ppl actually think otherwise?

Yeah, plus LMA is soft as ...

[hater]

Yeah, plus LMA is soft as ...

so is Dirk and he won a ship.

[ElNono]

so is Dirk and he won a ship.

Dirk has always been at a different level though... he never shied away from contact, he just didn't have the body to be banging around. LMA on the other hand...

[Mr Bones]

At this point, I've pretty much given up on the idea of Aldridge, M. Gasol, or Millsap landing in San Antonio as free agents. They all seem to love their teammates and cities, so getting max money and staying home makes sense.

[Brunodf]

I hope not

[cd98]

Players always take the highest paycheck. If they don't like the team, they whine and cry their way out of town after the sign the contract or before their current contract ends. But they all take the payday.

[FireMicoHalili]

Players always take the highest paycheck. If they don't like the team, they whine and cry their way out of town after the sign the contract or before their current contract ends. But they all take the payday.

Melo is on this path

[Mel_13]

Players always take the highest paycheck. If they don't like the team, they whine and cry their way out of town after the sign the contract or before their current contract ends. But they all take the payday.

Almost always. Howard and Gasol both had better offers from the Lakers, but they were both leaving a losing organization. Aldridge, M.Gasol, and Millsap have no reason to leave money on the table to get away from their current teams.