Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Sources told Stein that the Blazers have been pressing for more concrete signals from Aldridge’s camp about his plans before the July 1 start of free agency and are ‎increasingly fearful they have little chance of retaining the All-Star big man once he hits the open market.

On the list of teams Aldridge will consider signing with are the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks, sources said. Aldridge is actually thinking more and more about a free-agent jump to the Lakers, sources told Stein this week.

The Lakers, sources added to Stein, firmly believe they now will be in the Aldridge hunt. As ESPN.com first reported ‎Monday, Lakers officials also continue to try to press the Sacramento Kings to trade them All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.

The Spurs, sources say, continue to be Aldridge’s most likely destination.

ESPN.com (Marc Stein) – Sources: LaMarcus Aldridge expected to leave Blazers in free agency

So remember a few weeks ago when LaMarcus Aldridge was spotted at Logan Airport in Boston?  And the rampant speculation began that he might be signing with the Celtics?  Well guess which team isn’t even on his wish list?  That’s right, your Boston Celtics.  Well, according to Marc Stein of ESPN anyway.  Stein is one of the most respected and reputable NBA writers around, so this report does carry a lot of credence.  While it’s disappointing that the Celtics don’t even crack his top five teams, it’s more of a nut punch that the Lakers are quite possibly his top choice.  This, on the same day that rumors of the Lakers being DeMarcus Cousins’ top trade destination, as well as Kevin Love ranking the Lakers as one of the top teams on his list (as well as the C’s).

Isn’t it funny how so many people keep claiming the Lakers have zero assets (or at least not better assets than the Celtics) and that nobody wants to play with that demanding jerk, Kobe Bryant.  Or that clown of an owner, Jim Buss.  Or that moron of a coach, Byron Scott.  It’s also interesting when most people around here scoff at the idea that a package of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and oh yeah the #2 pick overall this year, isn’t a better offer than what the C’s could give for Cousins.  I’ve said it a million times, such are the pitfalls of a making the playoffs in a historically horrible Eastern Conference as a 7th seed only to get swept by the Cavs.  But that train left the station halfway through the season.  Now, even armed with a quantity of assets, Danny Ainge might just discover that a team like LA, with that single #2 pick overall is better than all of his picks combined.  Unless he’s willing to part with the Brooklyn picks.  Either way, it should be a wild Draft Night, followed by a crazy free agency week.

Page 2: Not exactly the summer of Love in Boston

Kevin Love likes the idea of playing in Boston. And the Celtics would like to have him on their team.

But at this point, the feelings on either side don’t appear to be strong enough to bring the two together.

There would need to be a major change in the current circumstances to make Love want to be a Celtic and for the team to pursue him with the same vigor it did last summer.

Multiple reports have Love opting out of the final year of his contract with the Cavaliers and becoming an unrestricted free agent. He can now call his own shots.

But clearly he did not walk away from $16,744,218 next year to sign a short-term deal in anticipation of the salary cap windfall to come with the league’s new TV contracts. And he did not opt out to sign even a longer deal for short money.

Sources yesterday continued to indicate it is most likely he re-signs with Cleveland for a longer, more secure deal. But the fact is he can now be openly recruited by other clubs, at least he can as of July 1.

But security remains key, as a league source recently told the Herald.

“I think he wants to be in a good situation,” the league executive said. “But I also think he’s concerned about his health, so he wants to get a good long-term contract.

“I still think he stays in Cleveland.”

Boston Herald – Not quite set for a Boston Love-in

Flash back a year ago and we are kind of in the same spot with Kevin Love.  Unless of course, Love truly wants to be the man (as opposed to the third wheel on a title team) and is truly worried that much about his health, then maybe the C’s have a chance to sign him.  It would be more likely if they were to first land a bigger fish, like Cousins, because Love would be crazy to leave Cleveland.  It would also be incredible for the Cavs to lose him after one season when they traded a potential superstar in Andrew Wiggins for him.  But, when you can get LeBron James back, if that’s part of his deal, you do it every time.

The rest of the links:

ESPN Boston – Celtics prepared for all scenarios on draft day | Buzzworthy: Celtics at center of NBA noise

Boston Globe – Celtics have options to pick from in NBA Draft | Karl Anthony-Towns, Jahlil Okafor pack a 1-2 NBA Draft punch | Celtics have assets, but what are they worth? | NBA commissioner tells freshmen to stay in school

Boston Herald – Celtics Beat: Fans assets in process | Mock draft: Bobby Portis on Celtics’ radar |

CSNNE – Scalabrine: Should Celtics roll the dice on Bennett? | Grande: Love would be ‘insane’ to leave LeBron, Cavs | NBA Draft: Who’s the Celtics’ best option at No. 16? | Top 5 shooters in the NBA Draft | Levine: Insanity reigns on stretch run to the NBA Draft | Report: Celtics to pursue Love and reunion with Pierce | Will Warriors’ title convince other teams to go small? | Massarotti on Cousins: ‘No. No no no!’

WEEI – AN ABSOLUTE MOCKERY OF A 2015 NBA MOCK DRAFT V4.0 | NBA DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILE: CROATIA SG MARIO HEZONJA | NBA DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILE: BOSTON COLLEGE PG/SG OLIVIER HANLAN | NBA DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILE: WESTCHESTER CC SG/SF LUIS MONTER

MassLive – 2015 NBA Draft, Kristaps Porzingis: Boston Celtics would have to trade up to acquire intriguing big | Boston Celtics rumors 2015: Kevin Love a target; maybe Paul Pierce too