Jackie MacMullan ignited a firestorm of controversy with her comments that LaMarcus Aldridge is not happy with the Spurs and vice versa. The league is now buzzing with LMA trade speculation. Naturally, the Celtics are part of that speculation:
If the Spurs were to consider trading Aldridge, you would have to move him to a team looking to compete right now. Chicago would be a natural fit, but they are short on players with impact and upside; Wade and Rondo wouldn’t interest the Spurs and the Bulls wouldn’t want to add Aldridge while losing Jimmy Butler in the deal. They have some good young pieces but no star material. The Heat might consider it, but would have to deal Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow, for starters.
The Celtics would be a natural fit, as Aldridge would be worth losing Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder along with the Nets pick for, and would make them a serious force in the East with LMA next to Al Horford. Horford’s old team might consider moving Paul Millsap (whom they nearly traded this summer) for Aldridge to pair with Dwight Howard. And the Raptors would definitely want in on the conversation.
If the Spurs were open to dealing him, they would have a lot of offers. But that’s a long way off. For now, there’s too much to just ignore with Aldridge. It might be fine, and blow over, but there’s at least some smoke and a few sparks with this situation, it’s reasonable to assume.
Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder and the Nets #1 pick for LaMarcus Aldridge? Call me crazy but I’m not sold on the idea.
I don’t think pairing another over-30 big man with Al Horford is the smart, long-term play. I also don’t think LMA is good enough to get us past Cleveland and into the finals.
And, we all should have serious concerns about the circumstances that would make San Antonio – one of the best run teams in the league – trade a prized free-agent after one season.
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