Aldridge On Free Agency, Surgery, Olshey

Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and while Portland certainly wishes to re-sign its star, the competition to secure his services is likely to be stiff indeed. Both the Spurs and the Mavericks are expected to pursue the native Texan, and the Knicks and Lakers are also expected to make a run at inking the 29-year-old. In his exit interview with the media Aldridge touched upon a number of subjects, and here or some of the highlights (hat tip to Sean Meagher of The Oregonian for the transcription)…

On what will be most important to him when making his free agency decision:

“I’m not gonna get into the details of it, but I think I’m gonna go home and just relax and talk to my family and my agent and just go from there. Of course I love being here, I’m thankful for everything this city has given me and for my time here. It’s been an amazing nine years; of course I’m not trying to have that end. When the time comes we’ll sit down, my agent and [GM] Neil Olshey and [owner] Paul Allen, we’ll just figure it out.”

On if his thinking regarding re-signing with the Blazers has changed since last summer:

“I haven’t thought about it since then. The season just ended. I have to sit back and reflect on everything that just happened. Look back on the season and the things that are important to me. I wouldn’t say things have changed, I just think that I’m gonna do my due diligence. I’m just gonna go through the process.” 

On if he was looking forward to the free agency process:

“Um, yes and no. I think every player wants to be wanted. Obviously if I said I don’t want to be wanted, does that mean you’re one of the top players in your position. It’s always good and bad that comes with it and I have to deal with it. But I’m looking forward to getting rest right now and then figure the rest out.” 

On if he will require offseason surgery to repair damage to his thumb:

“I don’t know yet. I have to get it looked at again.” 

On his relationship with Olshey:

“I would say it’s good. I would say he is different than most other GMs I’ve dealt with … other than when Chad [Buchanan] subbed in, I thought Chad had some Neil qualities in him as far as putting players first and trying to make sure the players have everything that they wanted and needed and trying to make sure guys are happy. Neil has brought a new culture to this team, to this city. He came in and he redid the whole facility, the whole arena. I just think he wants players to be happy at their jobs and at the arena and stuff like that. That was new for me and I enjoyed that.”