LaMarcus Aldridge Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Western Notes: Carter, Dwight, Trail Blazers

October 3rd, 2013 at 6:51pm CST by Ryan Raroque

While we heard earlier today that Shawn Marion may not be entirely sure of what the future holds beyond this season, his Mavericks teammate Vince Carter feels eager to continue his NBA career as long as his body allows him to: "I don’t want to limit myself. I think doing that, you start thinking about it as the season goes on. I just go. I just let the body pretty much dictate how I feel at the end" (Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas). The 36-year-old guard/forward is entering the final year of his three-year contract this season, though MacMahon notes that team owner Mark Cuban has already gone on record saying he'd like to re-sign Carter this summer.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob tells Sean Deveney of the Sporting News that the team was much closer to landing Dwight Howard than people might think: "…we would not have gone after him if we didn’t think we had a chance or that it made sense…We were a lot closer than people realize to perhaps that actually happening."
The Oregonian's Mike Tokito thinks Robin Lopez will not only help expedite the development of Meyers Leonard, but also provide a viable frontcourt partner for LaMarcus Aldridge on the opposite block. In another piece, Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports that Aldridge had sustained a strained hip flexor during practice last night. However, the Trail Blazers' PR Twitter account clarifies that the injury was a left quad strain (Twitter link). Head coach Terry Stotts, while somewhat concerned, doesn't believe it to be serious.
Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press underscores the tough road that Timberwolves training camp hopeful Othyus Jeffers has had to endure to get to this point.
Nuggets coach Brian Shaw is pleased with how his players have responded in training camp as he prepares to get the team to push the pace this season (Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post). In a separate article, Dempsey writes that JaVale McGee still has a ways to go before establishing himself as a legitimate post presence.

Northwest Notes: OKC, Nuggets, Aldridge, Wolves

October 1st, 2013 at 1:15pm CST by Luke Adams

After missing 2012/13 with a knee injury, Chase Budinger re-signed with the Timberwolves this summer, with both sides looking to put a lost season behind them. However, Budinger's year is off to an ominious start — the team announced today that he underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, a procedure that will sideline him indefinitely (Twitter links). As Minnesota looks to avoid further visits from the injury bug that plagued the club last season, let's round up a few items out of the Northwest Division….

Budinger isn't the only notable Northwest player who has recently undergone arthroscopic surgery. The Thunder have announced in a press release that Russell Westbrook had the procedure performed on his right knee today, and that he'll likely miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season.
Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post explores the 10 most interesting stories to come out of the Nuggets' Media Day, including GM Tim Connelly's willingness to shake up the roster, if necessary. "If we enjoy the success we want to have, maybe we’re not as motivated to be deal-seeking," Connelly said. "But I want to be opportunistic, I want to be aggressive. I don’t think we’re where we want to be at this point."
At Media Day in Portland, GM Neil Olshey encouraged reporters to "get over" their fascination with LaMarcus Aldridge trade rumors and "move on," while Aldridge indicated that he's looking forward to spending the season with the Trail Blazers. Joe Freeman of the Oregonian and Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge have the details.
At the Timberwolves' Media Day, Kevin Love wasn't too interested in discussing the past, including his injury-plagued 2012/13 season or his relationship with ex-GM David Kahn, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.
In a separate piece for the Star Tribune, Zgoda talks to T-Wolves head coach Rick Adelman about why it took so long to determine that he'd definitely be back on the bench for the coming season.
The Jazz finalized their camp roster today by signing Lester Hudson.

Northwest Notes: Wolves, Martin, Aldridge, Corbin

September 30th, 2013 at 10:29pm CST by Chuck Myron

Wolves president of basketball ops Flip Saunders consulted coach Rick Adelman this summer as the team was debating the merits of signing J.J. Redick, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Martin. It was Martin, Adelman's former player on the Rockets and the only one of the trio who signed with Minnesota, who stood out to the longtime coach.

"All of them could help us," Adelman said, as Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune notes. "Anybody who could make a shot was going to help us. But Kevin I knew so well and I knew he’s going to get you 20 points every time he steps on the floor."

Zgoda passes along more from Adelman on his decision to return to the bench this season and his working relationship with Saunders, and we have more on Minnesota's rivals in the Northwest:

Blazers GM Neil Olshey was testy with reporters when asked about LaMarcus Aldridge trade rumors at media day today, as Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge notes. For his part, Aldridge reiterated that he's not angling to get out of Portland. Golliver has a complete transcript of Olshey's media day comments here.
Olshey and Blazers coach Terry Stotts both expect the team to make the playoffs this season, as Mike Tokito of The Oregonian observes.
Tyrone Corbin, entering the final season of his contract with the Jazz, will be judged on how well the team's players develop this season rather than wins and losses, opines Gordon Monson of The Salt Lake Tribune.
We rounded up the latest from the Nuggets earlier this evening, including the team's addition of Kyle Fogg to its training camp roster.

Western Notes: Aldridge, Kanter, Gallinari, Pau

September 26th, 2013 at 7:23pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Ben Golliver of BlazersEdge relays a portion of the transcript from a radio interview between Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports and John Canzano of 750 AM The Game as it relates to trade rumors surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge. Wojnarowski believes that while the circumstances could change, he can't imagine Aldridge leaving Portland in the foreseeable future and adds that the team hasn't shopped him. He's also not sure if the market is currently presenting anything worth trading for and doesn't think Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey is likely to deal the 6'11 big man for pennies on the dollar. Here are more miscellaneous notes out of the Western Conference tonight, including a handful of injury updates:

Tim Cowlishaw of SportsDayDFW thinks that while the Mavericks could be okay this year, he's concerned about two to three years down the line when the team might not have any young stars to build around.
In a piece for The Oregonian, Canzano says that he wants someone from the Trail Blazers to step up and guarantee a playoff berth.
Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Jazz big man Enes Kanter has looked great in workouts, has had no issues with his shoulder, and participated in 5-on-5 scrimmages today for the first time since his injury (Twitter links).
Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw wouldn't commit to any projected recovery timetable for injured forward Danilo Gallinari, saying that it isn't "anything that anyone can determine at this point" (Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post).
Mark Medina of InsideSocal passes along an injury update from Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who looks to be fully healthy heading into this season after a summer of much-need rest and rehab.
In a piece for Sports Illustrated, Ben Golliver made note that Rockets guard James Harden believes that he is a top-10 player (hat tip to Comcast Sportsnet Houston): "For sure. Last year I got a chance to prove it, I kind of broke out of the shell a little bit. Even though it was my first year (as a starter), I've got a lot more to prove. I've always kind of been the underdog, always been looked over, so it's nothing new."
Sean Meagher of OregonLive.com provides season previews for the Thunder and Jazz with help from Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK and Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune, respectively.
Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com continued his list of reasons to be excited about training camp in New Orleans, listing a fresh start for Tyreke Evans at number five.

Northwest Notes: Blazers, Aldridge, Thunder

September 1st, 2013 at 9:48pm CST by Zachary Links

LaMarcus Aldridge's reps reportedly met with Blazers brass earlier this summer to discuss trade possibilities as the big man was unhappy with the direction of the franchise. However, Aldridge made it known this week that he never asked out of Portland. Here's the latest out on Aldridge and other notes out of the Northwest Division..

Even though LaMarcus Aldridge says that he didn't demand to be traded from the Blazers, he did converse with GM Neil Olshey about the direction of the club, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo. "I did the whole rebuilding thing. I want to win. I told him let's get better this summer. I think (Olshey's) done that," said the All-Star.
When asked if he feels like he's wasting the prime of his career with the Blazers, Aldridge said he doesn't and says that he still has "a lot" of years left in his prime (link). The big man added that the Blazers have a chance to make the playoffs, but they'll have to work hard for it (link). Hoops Rumors readers are split 50/50 on whether that's a reality for Portland.
DeAndre Liggins was already going to have to fight to make the Thunder roster and his arrest only hurts his chances, notes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman (on Twitter). Liggins is on a non-guaranteed minimum salary.

LaMarcus Aldridge On Offseason Trade Rumors

August 31st, 2013 at 8:09pm CST by Spencer Lund

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.”

LaMarcus Aldridge Denies Asking For Trade

August 31st, 2013 at 3:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Back in July, Blazers fans got a jolt when LaMarcus Aldridge's reps reportedly met with GM Neil Olshey to discuss trade possibilities. While it appeared from the outside that the All-Star forward was entirely unhappy with his situation in Portland, Aldridge tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) that isn't quite the case.

"I wasn't ready to make a move yet. I was just frustrated in the moment. I haven't given Neil (Olshey) a chance yet," Aldridge explained.

At the time of the report, talks apparently got serious between the new GM and a number of clubs. However, the Bulls, Timberwolves, Clippers, Hawks and Pelicans declined to include Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford and Anthony Davis, respectively, in any deal for Aldridge. The big man's salary could have something to do with it – he's owed $14.628MM this season and $15.756MM in 2014/15.

Earlier today, we asked Hoops Rumors readers if the Blazers are playoff bound in 2013/14 and opinions were more or less split.

Blazers Notes: Lillard, Aldridge, Roster Building

August 27th, 2013 at 10:17am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest piece for Grantland.com, Zach Lowe focuses on the Trail Blazers, and the path of the franchise that hasn't gotten past the first round of the postseason since 1999/2000. As Lowe writes, Portland is aiming to follow in the footsteps of teams like the Rockets or Pacers, going from mediocre to great without bottoming out or taking on big, long-term contracts for veterans. Here are a few of the highlights from the column:

Several rival executives who are pessimistic about the ceiling of the Blazers' core of Damian Lillard, Nicolas Batum, and LaMarcus Aldridge believe that a full-fledged rebuild, 76ers-style, would be in the team's best interest, says Lowe. However, owner Paul Allen isn't interested that approach.
"Paul Allen has never wanted to rebuild," said GM Neil Olshey. "He does not want to take three steps backward in order to take four steps forward. So we decided we were just going to have one foot in, and one foot out." Olshey's "foot in" involves bolstering the bench enough that the Blazers should compete for a playoff spot, while the "foot out" means maintaining enough long-term flexibility that the team will have max cap space in 2015.
Lowe wonders if the young "upside" pieces on Portland's roster would be enough to eventually land a star, in the same way the Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett or the Rockets snagged James Harden. However, without making Lillard available, the Blazers may not have the necessary assets for such a deal, in Lowe's view.
The Blazers will keep all their options open if the 2013/14 season goes badly, but Allen's aversion to rebuilding is real, so trading Aldridge may not be viable. Lowe suggests a number of hypothetical trade partners and packages, but Olshey doesn't consider his young big man to be a trade candidate: "It's not on our mind, and it's not on his, either. LaMarcus just wants to win. He wants to win tomorrow night. He doesn't want to hear about having cap room two years from now."

Western Notes: Batum, Rivers, Clippers

August 22nd, 2013 at 10:28pm CST by Ryan Raroque

In an interview with Jorge Sierra of Hoopshype, Nicolas Batum said he likes what the Trail Blazers have done during this offseason and thinks a playoff berth is the most realistic goal for the team heading into this year. When asked about rumors that LaMarcus Aldridge had privately requested a trade from Portland, Batum had this to say: "I heard that too and I laughed when I read that. He doesn't want to get traded, he wants the team to get better. LaMarcus is a winner

Asked if Aldridge had told him that directly, Batum continued: I mean, I know that's what he wants. We had two bad seasons and missed the playoffs and wants the team to improve. I think he didn't ask for a trade. He wants to stay and win with the Blazers. He just wants a better team around him so we can get back to the playoffs."

Here's more out of the Western Conference tonight:

Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times touches base with Clippers head coach Doc Rivers on the team's high expectations this year, how he's reached out to his players this summer, what he wants to carry over from Vinny Del Negro last season, and what he'd like to change.
Kevin Arnovitz and Jordan Heimer of ClipperBlog join ESPN.com's Henry Abbott and Ethan Sherwood Strauss, along with Royce Young of the Daily Thunder to talk about how the Clippers will fare next season (ESPN LA's Clippers podcast).
J.A. Adande of ESPN praises the election of Chris Paul as union president, saying it "signals a level of commitment to the union by prominent players that hadn't existed in recent years." He also looks at what Paul has positively brought to the Clippers organization as a promising sign of how he can effectively lead the NBPA.
Hoopsworld's Jabari Parker believes the Lakers can win between 44-47 games next season and thoroughly discusses how the team and the franchise overall should function in order to get back on track.
The purple and gold also unveiled their new black alternate jerseys for next season (hat tip to USA Today).

Olshey On Williams, Aldridge, Offseason

August 8th, 2013 at 9:37pm CST by Alex Lee

With the signing of Mo Williams now official, Portland general manager Neil Olshey introduced his newest addition to Blazers fans and media earlier today. Ben Golliver of Blazers Edge provides a transcript here and also offered his own thoughts on what Olshey had to say:

Olshey indicated that LaMarcus Aldridge was excited by the Blazers signing of Williams, writes Golliver, adding that Aldridge expressed similar sentiments earlier this offseason when Portland added Robin Lopez.
When asked about the Aldridge trade rumors that surfaced this summer, Olshey lectured the media about spreading false reports in an attempt to be the first to break what would be big news. Olshey assured reporters that Aldridge never asked to be traded and is happy in Portland.
While Olshey conceded that the Blazers didn't do everything they could to be competitive last year, he also insisted that it was by design. The result, Olshey said, has been the additions of Lopez, Thomas Robinson and now Williams, according to Golliver.
Williams will be the Blazers' sixth man, writes Mike Tokito of the Oregonian, adding that Olshey was Williams' pre-draft 'coach' a decade ago. Olshey also pushed to bring Williams to the Clippers two seasons ago, where he was able to fit into a guard rotation that contained several guys capable of running the point, much like the situation in Portland.
Tokito also tweeted that Olshey implied the Williams signing would wrap up Portland's offseason.