There’s “increasing momentum” toward LaMarcus Aldridge joining the Heat once he becomes a free agent, reports Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link).
Aldridge technically can’t sign anywhere until after he clears waivers on Saturday evening, but a sought-after player who has received a buyout will often reach a tentative agreement with a new team before he officially reaches the open market.
[RELATED: Spurs buy out LaMarcus Aldridge]
While there’s still a chance that Aldridge and the Heat won’t finalize a deal, many of the team’s beat reporters – including Reynolds, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald and Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (all Twitter links) – are talking as if it’s essentially a done deal.
Meanwhile, Jason Quick of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that Aldridge won’t be returning to Portland. The Trail Blazers had been viewed as one of Miami’s top competitors for the big man.
It has been an eventful day for the Heat, who reached agreements to acquire Victor Oladipo and Nemanja Bjelica in two separate trades. The team also traded for Trevor Ariza last week, and would still have one open roster spot after adding Aldridge.
While Aldridge isn’t the same player he was when he earned seven All-Star berths for Portland and San Antonio, he was still relatively productive in a part-time role with the Spurs in 2020/21, averaging 13.7 PPG and 4.5 RPG on .464/.360/.838 shooting in 21 games (25.9 MPG). Assuming he officially sign with the Heat, he’ll complement the likes of Bam Adebayo, Ariza, Bjelica, and Precious Achiuwa in the club’s frontcourt.
Heat will push the Nets with the move, they definitely have the superior depth.
The Nets have three players, obviously if healthy, that are top 15 nba players, two definitely in the top ten. They also will be in the buy out market. I don’t think these Heat moves are going to overtake that unless one of the nets big three is out in the playoffs (which is not impossible)
And both will continue to chase the Sixers
Philly is barely in first place ahead of the Bucks and Nets. But it has been 20 years since the Sixers have made it to the ECF and they’ve gotten out of the first round just 4 times in the last two decades.
“Barely in first place.” So you’re saying they’re in… first place? What a very strange take. If you “barely” win a game, you still, you know, win the game.
The Heat play D and have depth. Any playoff team that plays D will give Nets trouble. Nets haven’t proven anything yet. Only thing they done consistently this yr. Is have their players miss gms. Aldridge would be big but I still feel they need a center. After losing Leonard and Olynyk.
Heat always somehow get all kinds of luck.
getting oladipo is a steal for miami. sixers, milwaukee, brooklyn, then miami… will battle it out for a finals berth!
Another Bust for the Blazers…
You mean like Sam Bowie? I think it’s safe to say that Aldridge was far from being a bust and will be in the Hall of Fame not long after he retires.
He’s obviously talking about him not resigning there, not his original run.
No not what he meant robohouston. And have you forgotten you hate BRK not PHL?