Free agency has officially kicked off and the Los Angeles Lakers were the first in line to meet with unrestricted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge. The Lakers are reportedly preparing a four-year maximum offer for the veteran, but with rumors about the team’s other potential plans, thoughts of a sign-and-trade have come up.
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That, however, looks like it won’t be the case as Jabari Young of CSNNW.com reports the Blazers have no interest in a sign-and-trade involving Aldridge:
Though some around the NBA feel a sign-and-trade would make sense for the Blazers, as they can possibly get some assets if Aldridge leaves, the team is showing no interest in discussing such a move. If teams want his services, they’ll have to make their own way to create cap space to sign Aldridge.
This doesn’t affect the Lakers signing Aldridge outright as they already have enough cap room to do so if Aldridge were to agree to a contract. Rumors about possibly pairing Aldridge with DeAndre Jordan, however, would have required a sign-and-trade as the Lakers have no way to sign both to maximum contracts.
The Lakers are one of the favorites to land Aldridge though some consider the San Antonio Spurs the front-runners. Even if the Lakers aren’t successful in luring Aldridge, they have a ton of other targets.
The team is set to meet with DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Love, and Greg Monroe. Additionally, they are also reportedly interested in veteran big men Tyson Chandler and Robin Lopez.
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