Why LaMarcus Aldridge Is A Long Shot To Return To Rip City

Gregg Popovich confirmed ESPN's reporting on Wednesday that the former Trail Blazers big man will soon be parting ways with the Spurs.

Portland is looking for an additional rotation player, and LaMarcus Aldridge is suddenly on the move. Time for a reunion, right? Pump the brakes, Blazers fans.

Gregg Popovich told ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Wednesday evening that Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs have mutually agreed to part ways.

Pop on LaMarcus Aldridge: “We’ve mutually agreed for him to work on some opportunities elsewhere.” Aldridge will not be back with the Spurs.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 11, 2021

Shortly thereafter, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that San Antonio has already engaged in trade talks with teams interested in the former Blazers star. Though the Spurs expect to find a deal for Aldridge soon, the parties have plans to reach a buyout agreement if a trade isn't completed by the March 25 deadline.

The Spurs are engaged on several fronts with potential trades for Aldridge and believe they can find a deal -- perhaps even in the next week -- and avoid the need to negotiate a contract buyout, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

If there's no trade for Aldridge before the March 25 trade deadline expires and a contract buyout does come into play, many of the league's top teams are privately expressing interest in adding him as a free agent, sources said.

Portland's realistic means of bringing the seven-time All-Star back to where his career began is basically limited to a buyout. 

Matching Aldridge's $24 million in a trade without giving up an integral piece will prove difficult for any prospective playoff team, but especially the Blazers. Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic obviously aren't going anywhere. Neither is Robert Covington. 

Would a package of Rodney Hood, Zach Collins and Derrick Jones Jr. be good enough for San Antonio if Portland threw in a future second-round pick? The bidding war for Aldridge, to the extent it exists, has only just begun. But if the Spurs really are confident they'll be able to find a landing spot for the 35-year-old, it's safe to assume they have an idea of the type of assets they could net in a potential trade.

Would a package centering around Jones and Collins stack up comparably to other offers? Perhaps, but that's assuming San Antonio has some belief in the latter's ability to come back from what amounts to two missed seasons due to injury. Collins, remember, is a restricted free agent this summer, and isn't a fit at power forward in the Spurs' four-out offensive attack.

Just as important a factor is whether Neil Olshey is comfortable parting ways with Jones, the rare sought-after free agent to choose the Blazers over other high-profile suitors. Olshey has the luxury tax to worry about, too.

Portland is definitely more likely to acquire Aldridge if he's forced to take a buyout. But even then, the same realities that prevented Blake Griffin from giving the Blazers a serious look persist. Can Terry Stotts guarantee Aldridge, a full-time center at this point in his career, a lasting spot in the rotation? 

Enes Kanter isn't just beloved by his teammates and fans, but his ability as a roll man and offensive rebounder gives Portland offensive versatility Aldridge's game doesn't. The Blazers already have Carmelo Anthony; they don't need another aging veteran who subsists on mid-range post-ups and spot-up jumpers. 

It would be a fantastic story, and put a much-needed cap on Aldridge's outstanding career in Portland that his unceremonious departure first prevented. But barring his outright demand to return to the Blazers, prioritizing familiarity and legacy over playing time and the best chance to win a title, Aldridge will almost certainly continue his career elsewhere, dreams of Rip City faithful be damned.

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