After reports surfaced in July that LaMarcus Aldridge was unhappy with the Trail Blazers, his reps apparently met with Blazers GM Neil Olshey to discuss trade options. Earlier today, Aldridge denied requesting a trade, telling Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears that he “wasn’t ready to make a move yet.”
Later today, Aldridge sat down to discuss the offseason rumors with CSNNW.com’s Chris Haynes.
On the reports claiming that Portland was “too small” and “too boring” for him:
“Nah, that’s not true. I’m a quiet person that keeps to himself, really. Portland doesn’t bother me. I don’t have an issue with the city of Portland. I’ve been there my whole career. I like the smallness of it and the passionate fans. That’s not true at all.”
On how he’s been dealing with the trade rumors:
“I just block it out and go to the gym. That’s it. I can’t do anything about that. I feel like if there was really something serious going on, [Trail Blazers general manager] Neil [Olshey] would have told me but that didn’t happen. I’m a Trail Blazer.”
On whether he ever requested a trade:
“No.”
On what Aldridge told Yahoo! Sports earlier today about giving Olshey a chance:
“I was just frustrated with how we ended the season. I’ve been on a team where we were one of the top four teams in the Western Conference. I know what that feels like and to go through what we went through last season was disappointing. At this stage of my career, it’s all about winning for me. I don’t care where it’s at, I just want to win. But I never asked to be traded. And Neil told me when he came in that we had some holes on the roster and to give him an opportunity to make things right here. I just had to keep that in mind. But it was just a tough season for me last year.”
On whether his agents have attempted to get him moved:
“Agents talk. I don’t know what goes on there. I just worry about playing basketball.”
On the accuracy of the report that if Olshey’s moves weren’t to his liking, he’d like to be moved:
“Yeah, but I don’t have to worry about that because we’ve added some good pieces this summer and I’m looking forward to working with them.”
On the Blazers moves this summer that he liked:
“I think they all were solid. Neil kept me in the loop the entire process, asking me what I thought of certain players. He asked me about [Robin] Lopez and I said he’s good and would be a quality pickup. That’s another thing about this: if Portland was trying to move me, I don’t think they would have been keeping me involved throughout the [free agency] process.”
On his goals for next season:
“Playoffs. I think if we can put the pieces together, we’re definitely a playoff team. It’ll be tough, but I think we got the guys that can get the job done.”
On which seed he see’s the Blazers attaining for the playoffs:
“I think eighth or seventh.”
On the chances Aldridge re-signs with Portland when he becomes a free agent in 2015:
“I’m not the kind of person that thinks that far ahead because I feel like you won’t be doing all you can at the current time to help your team. I’m focused on next season and how we can come together to be a playoff team. That’s the only thing on my mind.”
On a statement to Blazers fans:
“That we’re going to try to bring you guys a winning team. They’re the best fans in the world. I know they’ll be behind us.”