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Even if LaMarcus Aldridge hasn't said an official goodbye to Rip City, the Portland Trail Blazers know he's moving on.
While Aldridge met with the Blazers on Wednesday and general manager Neil Olshey has continued to express confidence publicly, it's never seemed likely that Aldridge will return to the only franchise he's ever known.
Assistant coach Kim Hughes admitted as much in an interview with WTHI-TV on Wednesday, saying: "Well, people don't realize we just went young. We didn't publicize it, but we lost LaMarcus Aldridge. It hasn't been declared yet, but I'm sure he won't come back. We will go young."
While the message is hardly surprising, Hughes coming right out and going away from the organization's message is interesting. With several outgoing free agents and plenty of youth coming in, Portland has been operating as if Aldridge is heading elsewhere, and this should more or less close the book on any hope of him surprising the market by staying put.
- With h/t to Pro Basketball Talk
Raptors impress Aldridge but remain on periphery
The Toronto Raptors were an unexpected addition to the list of seven teams that Aldridge met with this week, but their pitch was a strong one.
General manager Masai Ujiri and company impressed Aldridge in their meeting, according to a report from David Aldridge of NBA.com.
The Raptors have a decent core, a hole at power forward, plenty of cap flexibility moving forward, picks to use as trade chips to solidify their foundation, and play in the Eastern Conference, where the path to contention is less arduous.
Despite the nice situation and a productive meeting, it remains "unlikely" that Aldridge chooses Toronto, NBA.com's Aldridge reports. Given the other offers that Aldridge has in front of him, Raptors fans shouldn't take this too hard - they got in a room with a marquee free agent and it went well, sending a strong signal to free agents still on the market or in future seasons.
Aldridge roundup
Here's a quick refresher on where Aldridge is said to stand with the eight teams chasing him:
- Portland: As outlined above, he's almost surely walking.
- Toronto: Good job, good effort, it's just not the right time.
- San Antonio Spurs: Considered the front-runners, the Spurs have been engaging in cap gymnastics to clear space for the home-state All-Star.
- Phoenix Suns: The surprise signing of Tyson Chandler and a strong chat has the Suns pushing the Spurs as the top candidate.
- Dallas Mavericks: There was little word coming out of their meeting, but it was believed to be a long shot.
- Houston Rockets: They're holding tight until getting official word, and are maintaining optimism about their chances.
- New York Knicks: The sides are expected to meet Thursday morning.
- Los Angeles Lakers: They thought it went well. It did not.
