Report: Aldridge concludes free-agent meetings; Spurs, Suns still front-runners
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LaMarcus Aldridge has heard all he needs to hear, at least for now, and the NBA's most hotly pursued free agent is reportedly prepared to sit back and contemplate the plethora of options before him.
Latest on LaMarcus Aldridge: ESPN sources say no visits to other cities CURRENTLY planned. LMA likely to take a couple days to digest it all
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 3, 2015
The first three days of free agency saw Aldridge reportedly meet with the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat, while canceling a previously scheduled meeting with the New York Knicks.
The Spurs and Suns are considered favorites to land Aldridge after San Antonio locked up free agents Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green on July 1, in addition to trading Tiago Splitter to open up cap space, and the Suns stunningly agreed to terms with free-agent center Tyson Chandler before creating additional cap space of their own.
Optimistic Suns sold being leader of the franchise to LaMarcus with young talented team built around him with long-term success, source said
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 3, 2015
The Portland Trail Blazers, who have employed the four-time All-Star for the first nine seasons of his career, also remain in the running, while the Mavericks and Rockets are said to have impressed the star power forward.
The Raptors, while putting together a reportedly impressive presentation, are considered a long shot, and the Lakers got a second meeting with Aldridge only after their first sit-down apparently went sour. Their second meeting, while perhaps more to the point, also doesn't seem to have swayed him.
As for the Heat, they're unlikely to land Aldridge and would have to get creative with respect to their salary cap management after agreeing to a $20-million deal with Dwyane Wade to do so, but Pat Riley can certainly never be discounted.
Rival execs think Pat Riley's message to LaMarcus Aldridge last night was essentially where ever u sign go short & I'll be back next summer.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 3, 2015
Aldridge, a three-time All-NBA selection, averaged a career-high 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds this past season, posting a career-best Player Efficiency Rating of 22.8.
While his notorious comfort in the mid-range has held down his scoring efficiency, and his defense leaves something to be desired, Aldridge is a legitimate superstar big man who commands double-teams and can serve as the hub of a top-tier offense.