Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge told Joe Freeman of The Oregonian that he won’t sign a contract extension in Portland this offseason but hopes to sign a new deal with them next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The 28-year-old big man also implied that testing free agency a year from now would be more advantageous because he could then re-sign with the Blazers for more seasons and more money at that point (Twitter links).
Aldridge specified that financial security is his top priority before making it clear that Portland is where he wants to spend the rest of his NBA career: “I’m happy to stay (in Portland), happy to be here, happy with the direction the team has gone the last year or (two)…But I just want to get a 5-year deal. I feel like that’s the best decision on my part…I want to be the (best Blazer Ever)” (All Twitter links via Freeman).
The three-time NBA All-Star has been mentioned among the marquee free agents expected to headline the summer of 2015. Aldridge’s ultimate goal of landing a five-year contract – one that only the Trail Blazers would be able to offer – presumably puts the kibosh on other teams’ hopes of either trying to recruit him or pursue an extend-and-trade for now; however, it’s more than likely that those clubs will make p once Aldridge officially hits the free agent market.
it gives him more leverage. If he doesn’t think he can win there he can go via free agency after one year or be traded in the offseason. Not good for Portland
Horribly, HORRIBLY overrated player. .507 TS% this year, and he’ll likely get a max deal…