The San Antonio Spurs will reportedly meet with Portland Trai Blazers star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge when he hits free agency this summer.
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Aldridge is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and speculation continues to suggest that it is more and more likely that he will be a realistic target for teams who are prepared to offer him a max deal.
The initial thought was that he would definitely re-sign with the Trail Blazers, but should the Spurs make an offer and want to sit down, it would be difficult for the 29-year-old to ignore them.
While reporters have claimed that it is more likely that he will leave than people realise as an anonymous teammate suggested that it was 50/50, it appears as though the link to San Antonio is only becoming stronger.
“The Spurs accepted that risk because waiting to bump up Leonard’s salary gives them the chance to dangle max cap space in front of Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge this summer,” Zach Lowe of Grantland reported.
“Neither is a good bet to leave his current team, but sources around the league have been saying for weeks that the Spurs might get a hearing with Aldridge — and that was before the Oregonian reported that at least one Blazers player thinks there is only a 50-50 chance that Aldridge stays in Portland.”
While Gasol has also been linked with the Spurs, that wasn’t necessarily as realistic as the Spaniard has a strong connection with Memphis and isn’t likely to move on.
However, the Aldridge rumours are gathering momentum and it appears as though San Antonio could be at the front of the queue if he decides to leaves, as the franchise makes plans for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili’s upcoming retirements.
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