Immediately after free agency began at 9:01 PM PST on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers met with LaMarcus Aldridge. With Kobe Bryant and numerous executives taking part in the pitch to the four-time All-Star, the meeting lasted two hours and went ‘really well.’
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
While Aldridge will meeting with numerous teams, the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are part of a ‘two-horse race’ for his services according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:
The Lakers have a quietly positive feeling about signing the four-time All-Star, who played nine seasons with Portland. The Lakers and San Antonio are part of a “two-horse race” for Aldridge, according to a person familiar with his thinking. The extra $28 million he could get in a fifth contract year from Portland is not expected to factor into his decision.
After passing on Jahlil Okafor for D’Angelo Russell at the NBA Draft, general manager Mitch Kupchak shared the team will focus on frontcourt players. Along with Marc Gasol, Aldridge is considered the top big man in free agency and the Lakers will be able to offer him a max contract.
With free agency underway, the Lakers will be meeting with Greg Monroe and DeAndre Jordan on Wednesday. In addition, Los Angeles will meet with Kevin Love some time this week and has interest in Tyson Chandler and Robin Lopez.
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