Now that former All-Star power forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge is set to part ways with the Spurs, there is widespread speculation across the league about how exactly he can be moved (the Spurs are focused on a trade rather than a buyout) and which teams provide the best fit for the aging big man.
Bobby Marks of ESPN discusses the difficulties of making an Aldridge trade work during an Instagram conversation (video link), noting, “San Antonio is not known to make trades during the regular season,”
Marks acknowledges that, due to Aldridge’s exorbitant $24MM expiring deal, a team would have to send out at least $19MM in contracts when making a trade. Because the Spurs are just $1MM below the tax line, they’ll look to avoid taking back more than $25MM back in contracts unless they send out additional players.
Marks lists five clubs that could potentially deal for Aldridge: the Celtics, who own a $28.5MM TPE, the Heat, the Sixers, the Suns, and a reunion with the Trail Blazers. Marks considers the Suns to be the best fit for Aldridge if he were to reach the buyout market, where the 35-year-old veteran could serve as a backup behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
David Aldridge, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic discuss the best potential landing spots for Aldridge. Beyond the teams Marks touches on, Aldridge is considered an interesting fit with the Lakers to replace the largely-ineffective Marc Gasol in the rotation at center. The Athletic writers consider Aldridge still capable of contributing to a playoff contender at this late stage in his career.
Speaking of the Heat, Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald report that Miami numbers among the teams who have spoken with the Spurs about potentially trading for Aldridge, though the Heat are probably limited in players they would be willing to sacrifice to reach the $19MM threshold necessary for an Aldridge exchange.
Saric is a better player then Aldridge at this point, best fits are miami, bucks, warriors, celtics
Correction: San Antonio is $1mm below the tax line, not the cap. They are able to take back 125% of the $24mm salary of Aldridge. Even if they were under the cap by a million, since they have exceptions on the books, and are operating as an over-the-cap team, they’d salary match in any trades.
I had to read that paragraph many times without getting it thanks. There is still a better way to word it, paranthetically, without it having to make sense in text form. This would be useful to devise and use because it comes up so often— every time a trade is brought up involving that player. Like: Aldridge (1yr$24mil, range$19.2-30, Spurs $1mil from taxline).
It wouldbe interesting to see him get back with Lilliard/Blazers in some form. There’s potential conflict, but then Lilliard is trying to write a story!
Also possible fit issues on the Suns, where Ayton, Saric, & Kaminsky need to keep their confidence up… Aldridge could be a perfect add— or mess things up… not sure which. Jalen Smith has not stepped in like I thought he would.
Hard to believe Suns are second in the WC! Five possible starters have PERs of 17 or higher. Crowder has possibly the worst PER but is after all Crowder, quite helpful.
I came up with a scenario using spotrac last week where the Spurs matched salary with the Raptors for Lowry. Theoretically, based on the above, they would fall just short of being able to do a straight up deal. Besides, even for a salary swap, Toronto would want some young talent along with Aldridge. So, I figured Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, and Tre Jones would be a good salary match.
Of course, Lowry would probably much rather go to his hometown of Philly. Short of Ben Simmons being included in the deal, there’s no way for a salary match there.
Keldon Johnson isn’t going anywhere …
For salary matching, they could pull Derrick White and Keldon Johnson out of the deal and replace them with Trey Lyles who, like White, has an expiring contract. The only player on a rookie deal that’s not ending this year in this deal would be Tre Jones. Would Toronto say no? Spurs still have playoff aspirations this year, but clearly don’t see Aldridge in those plans. Lowry would be much better for that effort than someone whom they won’t play.
I’m a Nets’ fan (since 1980, not a bandwagon jumper), so it doesn’t particularly matter to me, though sending Lowry out of the conference could be useful. I just like these salary matching exercises.
Lol, sure, take DeJounte, Lonnie, and Devin and the rest of the Spurs youth while your at it! As Spurs fan, hard pass on Lowry. Not the right timeline for team
It would seem some top teams are too light inside, but they don’t seem to agree. The Spurs may turn into one of those teams if they send Aldridge+Lyles+Tre for Lowry! No doubt the White+Keldon+Tre gets rejected by Spurs on a young talent basis.
I bet LMA moves somehow though, and improves the new team this season but is not re-signed by them when his $24mil does not look so “exorbitant”. Maybe 2/$28 somewhere.
Portland is full.
Like to see him go to Blazers. It would bake the west playoffs more fun to watch. Imo he helps the Celtics and Heat the most.
Celtics and a small asset most appealing to Spurs I think, unless Miami willing to add an actual asset to their trash package.
Some of these so called basketball experts in the press really are no better than the people in the stands with their ridiculous takes. Why would the Suns want Aldridge? They’ve got the perfect backup stretch 5 in Saric
This feels like a buyout. Spurs aren’t just gonna take trash + a 2nd just to say they traded LMA. Just cut bait if that’s the best offer.
Doesn’t matter where Aldridge goes… he’s toast
Idk who wants this guy for what he’s getting paid when they know the team is trying to get him out the door. He’s a valuable role player but at this point he can’t be counted on constantly at this age. No competent GM should trade more then another bad contract and maybe a second rounder of sorts.
Aldridge could be a back-up for the Blazers if they can find a way to trade for him which is highly unlikely. If he goes on the buy-out market why wouldn’t Dallas take a shot at him, and if that happens the Blazers stand not much of a chance in acquiring him. S.A. wants Dallas to make a trade, not wait for the buyout market.
With the C’s TPE being big enough to absorb LMA’s salary outright, it could be as easy as TPE and Boston’s 2nd this year. Other than a TPE and a second from any team, whoever deals for LMA will want to send back future salary to give up young assets or picks:
1) Dallas – Powell, J Johnson, 2021 2nd, 2022 2nd
2) Portland – Hood, Jones, Elleby
Failing that, it’s going to be a buyout.
I gotta say the idea of Portland trading Derrick Jones Jr. for Lamarcus Aldridge is far fetched in the least. Boston trading a 2nd is hard to swallow too. Dallas is my gut feeling, hometown also. Buy out market or they pony-up salary to S.A. Not hard for Dallas to do either one. Definitely shouldn’t trade Dwight Powell, need his defense.
Milwaukee. We need to counter Blake Griffin.
Time will do that for you.
I hope the Spurs can find a good trade partner, but bc Pop is such a nice guy, we’ll probably buy LA out and the Lakers will sign him on a cheap one year deal. LA wants a ring.
I think if he bought out he goes to Cilppers. Suns may call. I don’t think he will go east.