Aldridge not high on Spurs, could do a S+T to Boston (rumor)

[rondohondo]

Of his potential suitors, league sources indicate that the Mavericks are the biggest threat to pull Aldridge away from the Blazers, but it's the general idea of returning to Texas, not a specific destination, that appeals to him. Both the Mavericks and Spurs, of course, could have the requisite cap space, reputation of success and location. Both also may not be perfect fits. Several sources have indicated that the Spurs, for whatever reason, are either off his list or not very high on it. And the question concerning Dallas is: Does an aging Dirk Nowitzki truly give him a better chance of competing for a title? Dallas, sources say, is clearly interested, but where he sits on its priority list is not clear. Bleacher Report

While a rumor about a sign-and-trade deal that would send him to the Celtics emerged, league sources are skeptical whether Aldridge or the Blazers would agree to one. For the Blazers, neither Boston's 16th pick nor its young big men are enticing; for Aldridge, if Portland's weather is as unappealing to him as it supposedly is, he certainly would want no part of New England winters. And while the East postseason competition is a little thinner, is there any reason to believe the Celtics have a chance of getting to the Finals before the Northwest Division-champion Blazers? Bleacher Report - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.h3NEiyE9.dpuf

We could certainly offer them more than sully and #16 if they want to work out a deal. It also mentioned that Aldridge wouldn't want to give up the extra 27 mil on a max deal which is why we would have to do a s+t .

We can even trade up for them in the draft

Wallace exp
Ko
Bradley
#16
Brk 2016

I would have to think that could get a deal done then we would still have max cap space to try and land gasol, Jordan or Love in addition to Aldridge .

That seems like a lot for a sign and trade.  If Aldridge were under contract and we were trading for him, that sounds about right, but their leverage is reduced because he could just leave the extra money on the table and sign somewhere else.  In that scenario Portland gets a big sack of nothing.

For reference:

This is what Cleveland got for the Lebron sign and trade in 2010:

Two first-round picks, that must be used starting in 2013 and ending by 2017
2012 second-round pick Miami received from New Orleans
Future second-round pick Heat acquired from Oklahoma City
Cleveland can also swap first round picks with the Heat in 2012
A large trade exception($15 million or so) that the Cavs must use in trades for one calendar year.

This is what Toronto got for Bosh:
Two first-round picks, lottery protected
A trade exception

We are probably talking somewhere in between those two deals.  I'm thinking 16 this year, our pick in 2016 (lottery protected), and a 2016 second (we have like 40 of those), should be enough.

We would still have to send back salary to match in a trade. So Wallace , Bradley, and either zeller.,ko or sully would have to be sent to match salaries in a trade.

If we have cap room to absorb a max salary, why would we need to send salary back to Portland?

That's true , but it would eat up most of our cap space. By sending salary back we would still have cap to offer another player a max contract as well.

[D Dub]

Pretty sure we're the only team that, with the s/t route, would still have enough to max Matthews.

I'd trade Portland KO, Turner, Wallace, and #28.  Its not a lot but at least they'd get a couple nice young players and an expiring.  Better than nothing, and with LMA holding all the cards that's exactly the prospect they face.

Then you could trade Sully, AB, #16 for Stevenson and #8
Give Wes his max deal. 
Bring back both Jerebko & Crowder.  Let Bass walk 
Sign Javale McGee to the min.
Use the mid level exception to lure back Paul Pierce.

Smart, IT
Stevenson, Young
Matthews, Crowder
Pierce, Jerebko, #8
LMA, Zeller, McGee

[Grindfather]

I love Wes, dude's tough, shoots the lights out and was the Blazer's best defender last year, but here's no way I max him and his exploded achilles out. It'd be nice to know that a guy can still play basketball at a high level before handing him $70+ million guaranteed.

[hpantazo]

I love Wes, dude's tough, shoots the lights out and was the Blazer's best defender last year, but here's no way I max him and his exploded achilles out. It'd be nice to know that a guy can still play basketball at a high level before handing him $70+ million guaranteed.

If that's what we have to do in order to get Aldridge here long term, I would do it. Even if at worst he is dead weight, with the salary cap going up, it won't be that bad.

[mahcus smaht]

I love Wes, dude's tough, shoots the lights out and was the Blazer's best defender last year, but here's no way I max him and his exploded achilles out. It'd be nice to know that a guy can still play basketball at a high level before handing him $70+ million guaranteed.

If that's what we have to do in order to get Aldridge here long term, I would do it. Even if at worst he is dead weight, with the salary cap going up, it won't be that bad.

Dallas can do this as well if Im not mistaken and if they do they are a pg away from being really really good

random dude
Matthews
Parsons
Nowitzki
Aldridge

Im very worried that he goes to Dallas and that Dallas pick becomes a 25+ pick

[Geo123]

The only chance we have for Aldridge IMO is if we go after Mathews also.  To me this is our only chance of getting him and it's not a big chance either.   

[Ilikesports17]

I love Wes, dude's tough, shoots the lights out and was the Blazer's best defender last year, but here's no way I max him and his exploded achilles out. It'd be nice to know that a guy can still play basketball at a high level before handing him $70+ million guaranteed.

If that's what we have to do in order to get Aldridge here long term, I would do it. Even if at worst he is dead weight, with the salary cap going up, it won't be that bad.

Dallas can do this as well if Im not mistaken and if they do they are a pg away from being really really good

random dude
Matthews
Parsons
Nowitzki
Aldridge

Im very worried that he goes to Dallas and that Dallas pick becomes a 25+ pick

a legitimate worry, but I dont think Aldridge would go to Dallas to play with Dirk. I think hed go there to be able to eventually replace Dirk and be the man in Dallas.

If thats something he wants to do than there isnt a ton we can do about it.

If he goes to Dallas with Wes he gets to play with his best bud in his hometown, he will be on a competitive team and will eventually become the face of the franchise then retire in Texas. Sounds pretty sweet.

[Tr1boy]

I cant see many top fas wanting to play for the Spurs and have pops yell at them at any pt of the game.

CBS on the other hand is a players coach.

[Endless Paradise]

I can see many top FAs wanting Pop to yell at them if he'll get them a ring over CBS' player-friendly, yet-ringless approach.

[Ilikesports17]

I cant see many top fas wanting to play for the Spurs and have pops yell at them at any pt of the game.

CBS on the other hand is a players coach.

I disagree that pop is a negative influence. For me the biggest strike against SA is that despite their ridiculous amount of success, they are basically ignored by the media.

I mean Aldridge could go to SA and put up 24 and 10 for another 5 years, win a championship or 2 and still be under-appreciated in SA where he would be the Steve young to Duncan's Montana, and in the national media where he would be completely ignored with the exception of about a week before and after the NBA finals.

[TheFlex]

The FA destinations this summer suck. There is nowhere (good) for these top players to go to. All the teams with cap space this summer are either (1) stuck in a rebuilding phase (2) have aging stars and are facing a rebuild in near future. They suck.

I want to see some of these big stars move teams. Change the landscape of the league a little bit. But there is nowhere for any of them to go!

Dunno about that. I maintain that we're an attractive destination. Not 2009-10 Miami attractive, but still attractive.

Not enough has been said about San Antonio. Great weather. Home state of many players. Great culture. Winning team, great personnel foundation, etc.

LAL will always be pretty attractive. If they dealt their #2 pick to a team like Chicago for Jimmy Butler for example (obviously after the draft because it'd have to be a sign and trade), all of a sudden that's a really nice landing spot for a guy like Love.

There's probably a few I'm missing. Another team that people don't seem to be talking about is Phoenix. Another great weather, culture oriented city. Solid foundation in place (players + coach). Not a bad flight to nightlife cities like LA or Houston. Why wouldn't Aldridge enjoy:

Knight/[Bledsoe]/Aaron Harrison
Bledsoe/Bogdanovic (watch out for this kid)/Goodwin
Markieff Morris/PJ Tucker/TJ Warren
LMA/Marcus Morris/[Markieff]
Len/[Marcus]/Bobby Portis

in a hot weather city?

PS. The DKC needs you on Reddit.

[colincb]

I cant see many top fas wanting to play for the Spurs and have pops yell at them at any pt of the game.

CBS on the other hand is a players coach.

More likely LMA sees the Spurs dynasty nearing its end.

Surprised the Rockets name did not come up. They could probably give some assets away to make the money and cap work without doing a trade. Would need a 3rd party to take assets like Ariza and Jones/Motiejunas,

[JHTruth]

I've loved LMA since his HS days (he was the same HS class as Big Al). If he leaves Portland, seems Dallas will be his first choice. SA is a small market team despite being a big city. Can't seem him going there..

[MikeJelly]

Someone PLEASE answer these questions:

1) I understand Aldridge is a good player, but he is also 30. Why exactly would he be a "perfect fit"? We need a wing scorer and a rim protector. He is neither.

2) Why in Gods Name would we sign and trade for him? If we can just sign him straight up without giving up our assets why sign and trade?
 
Let me make this clear, I will be ecstatic if he signs because we need TALENT. But I do not understand gutting out team when we could just sign him.

[MikeJelly]

Pretty sure we're the only team that, with the s/t route, would still have enough to max Matthews.

I'd trade Portland KO, Turner, Wallace, and #28.  Its not a lot but at least they'd get a couple nice young players and an expiring.  Better than nothing, and with LMA holding all the cards that's exactly the prospect they face.

Then you could trade Sully, AB, #16 for Stevenson and #8
Give Wes his max deal. 
Bring back both Jerebko & Crowder.  Let Bass walk 
Sign Javale McGee to the min.
Use the mid level exception to lure back Paul Pierce.

Smart, IT
Stevenson, Young
Matthews, Crowder
Pierce, Jerebko, #8
LMA, Zeller, McGee

LMA said he does not want to play Center