Cleveland Cavaliers at Top of LaMarcus Aldridge's Destination List

[theSTEREO.]

Interesting.

This is probably the first time I've said "I hope we don't get LaMarcus Aldridge". But if nothing else, it's a fascinating look at how Lebron has transformed Cleveland as a FA destination.

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/3803/steins-scoop-next-for-blazers-aldridge

"2. So who are the leading contenders to steal Aldridge away at this early juncture?

You can't say loudly enough that it is early in the process.

Very ‎early.

We've only just made it to May, leaving two months for climates to change.

But the consistent word on the personnel grapevine at the minute informs us that San Antonio and Dallas not only both believe they have a real shot at signing him but are also legitimately in Aldridge's thoughts.

NBA Offseason »

Does Aldridge, even accounting for his Dallas upbringing, really want to go home to North Texas or down to South Texas, where he'd essentially be casting himself as the heir apparent to either Dirk Nowitzki orTim Duncan? Wouldn't he be putting himself in some awfully challenging circumstances to try to live up to the legacies of either of those certifiable legends?

Answer: We're hearing Aldridge connected to both of those teams so frequently that you can only conclude that neither idea scares him.

Yet sources insist -- at, yes, this early juncture -- that San Antonio sits near or at the top of Aldridge's list ... unless the Cleveland Cavaliers were to lose Kevin Love and then somehow manufacture a way to sign-and-trade for him."

 

[Man Called X]

Interesting.

This is probably the first time I've said "I hope we don't get LaMarcus Aldridge". But if nothing else, it's a fascinating look at how Lebron has transformed Cleveland as a FA destination.

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/3803/steins-scoop-next-for-blazers-aldridge

"2. So who are the leading contenders to steal Aldridge away at this early juncture?

You can't say loudly enough that it is early in the process.

Very ‎early.

We've only just made it to May, leaving two months for climates to change.

But the consistent word on the personnel grapevine at the minute informs us that San Antonio and Dallas not only both believe they have a real shot at signing him but are also legitimately in Aldridge's thoughts.

NBA Offseason »

Does Aldridge, even accounting for his Dallas upbringing, really want to go home to North Texas or down to South Texas, where he'd essentially be casting himself as the heir apparent to either Dirk Nowitzki orTim Duncan? Wouldn't he be putting himself in some awfully challenging circumstances to try to live up to the legacies of either of those certifiable legends?

Answer: We're hearing Aldridge connected to both of those teams so frequently that you can only conclude that neither idea scares him.

Yet sources insist -- at, yes, this early juncture -- that San Antonio sits near or at the top of Aldridge's list ... unless the Cleveland Cavaliers were to lose Kevin Love and then somehow manufacture a way to sign-and-trade for him."

Everyone wants to play with LeBron now. They know he's staying in Cleveland, so they aren't worried about being stuck on a lotto team in Ohio.

 

[gourimoko]

Why do we have to lose Kevin Love?

I wonder if Portland would be willing to just take back Haywood+Miller+Shumpert+picks? It's better than losing him to free agency. They'd get 1-2 picks, Haywood's $10M, Miller's expiring and Iman Shumpert.

I mean, they could either facilitate a trade for Aldridge to go out East and get a shit ton of cap relief assets (which are tradeable), or Aldridge can walk in free agency. We might even be able to do a three-team trade looking to cut salary if Portland wants young talent instead.

San Antonio and Dallas can just sign him outright, so it would behoove Portland to trade Aldridge to a team that he would want to play for post-trade (as in, a team that is still good after making the trade).

I haven't given this really any thought, but, Aldridge is great at both center and power-forward. I think you can easily play both Aldridge and Love side by side.

Is this remotely possible?

Btw. I do understand 4 max contracts would be insane, but for one, Kyrie is locked in at the old CBA max. We also don't know what the new CBA will consist of, and there's already reports of the cap exceeding $100M in the next few years.

 

[Jscc]

I haven't given this really any thought, but, Aldridge is great at both center and power-forward. I think you can easily play both Aldridge and Love side by side.

Is this remotely possible?

I have no idea how that would work. It'd be like having the first year Wade/LeBron thing except with two Chris Bosh's trying to find their role.

 

[David.]

Dear God would it be asking amazing

 

[col63onel]

Why do we have to lose Kevin Love?

I wonder if Portland would be willing to just take back Haywood+Miller+Shumpert+picks? It's better than losing him to free agency. They'd get 1-2 picks, Haywood's $10M, Miller's expiring and Iman Shumpert.

I mean, they could either facilitate a trade for Aldridge to go out East and get a shit ton of cap relief assets (which are tradeable), or Aldridge can walk in free agency. We might even be able to do a three-team trade looking to cut salary if Portland wants young talent instead.

San Antonio and Dallas can just sign him outright, so it would behoove Portland to trade Aldridge to a team that he would want to play for post-trade (as in, a team that is still good after making the trade).

I haven't given this really any thought, but, Aldridge is great at both center and power-forward. I think you can easily play both Aldridge and Love side by side.

Is this remotely possible?

Btw. I do understand 4 max contracts would be insane, but for one, Kyrie is locked in at the old CBA max. We also don't know what the new CBA will consist of, and there's already reports of the cap exceeding $100M in the next few years.

No, because we'd have to receive LMA in a sign and trade. If you receive a player via S&T, you are hard capped at 4 mil over the luxury tax, slated to be about 85mil. Unless we get rid of TT and Love and maybe even one of Shump/JR, we aren't staying under 85 mil

 

[gourimoko]

No, because we'd have to receive LMA in a sign and trade. If you receive a player via S&T, you are hard capped at 4 mil over the luxury tax, slated to be about 85mil. Unless we get rid of TT and Love and maybe even one of Shump/JR, we aren't staying under 85 mil

So can you walk me through this, my CBA understanding is a bit rusty.

Hasn't it always been the case that a team can always make a trade where the salary exchange is equal to or greater than the amount of incoming salary?

I'm also guessing that LMA's salary would be maxed out? So we'd need to match that?

Can you think of a combination of players that would make this work?

 

[gourimoko]

I have no idea how that would work. It'd be like having the first year Wade/LeBron thing except with two Chris Bosh's trying to find their role.

Aldridge and Love don't play similar games, and we don't play Love in the post anyway.

Aldridge would replace Mozgov's role in the post, not Love's. Effectively, we would have no need for Varejao, and one of Mozgov or Thompson, and considering Thompson is more expensive... well...

But according to @col63onel , this trade is impossible without trading Love? I'm wondering if we traded Mozgov, Tristan, Shump, and Haywood and picks, would that not be enough? That's quite a haul, but I'm not sure if it works under the CBA?

EDIT: Lol, what if Varejao retired? Lol... I'm tripping....

 

[godfather]

I am not Kevin, but if he were to leave, wouldn't he want to go to Portland? The Lakers are God awful. He just asked to leave the shitty T-Wolves, why would he want to go to another shitty team?

Now, Portland, Oregon, a place where grew up, and a winning team already, would have to be appeasing to him.

And if he really wanted to go home, and that's where his heart is, then I wouldn't fault him.

Making a LMA for Love switch would/could be feasible for each party. Given if that's what Kevin wanted.

Not going to lie, I love Kevin, and I hope he stays because he's a good guy, and I think he's better than what he showed.

I am a huge LMA fan though, seeing him on the Cavs would be pretty tempting to me.

 

[Jscc]

Aldridge would replace Mozgov's role in the post, not Love's.

That's just not what Aldridge is. He's a finesse big man like Dirk. If he went to San Antonio, Duncan would move to center rather than the other way around.

 

[gourimoko]

That's just not what Aldridge is. He's a finesse big man like Dirk. If he went to San Antonio, Duncan would move to center rather than the other way around.

I'm not saying Aldridge solely relies on the post, but to say he's like Dirk, well, I think is way off base... Maybe we're both not articulating what we mean, but, Aldridge definitely operates far more in the post and far closer to the basket than either Dirk or Kevin Love.

As far as the Spurs are concerned, I don't know if one could make the positional argument either way; at least, not convincingly.

But the point is that Aldridge is a great post-up player, and is great playing at either the 4 or the 5. Playing him alongside Kevin Love would work just fine.

 

[godfather]

Aldridge and Love don't play similar games, and we don't play Love in the post anyway.

Aldridge would replace Mozgov's role in the post, not Love's. Effectively, we would have no need for Varejao, and one of Mozgov or Thompson, and considering Thompson is more expensive... well...

But according to @col63onel , this trade is impossible without trading Love? I'm wondering if we traded Mozgov, Tristan, Shump, and Haywood and picks, would that not be enough? That's quite a haul, but I'm not sure if it works under the CBA?

EDIT: Lol, what if Varejao retired? Lol... I'm tripping....

Nah man, we'd have to give up Love. Love and Aldridge on the same front line wouldn't be that good defensively anyways. Aldridge can't play center, he's not that kind of player. He can in play in spurts, but it's not ideal.

This is one of the rare cases where neither team gets screwed if it were to happen though.

And let's be real, maybe Kevin really would want to go back to Oregon. That's not a detriment to how he feels here, but there is no place like home. Playing in your home town is a big deal, but who wants to do it when the team really sucks?

And if that's something he wants, you ask him, and if he does, then make the swap with Aldridge. Do I think it's happening? No, I think Kevin will be back, but it's good to know how Aldridge feels, given say Kevin feels different, there are at least good options out there.

 

[Jscc]

I'm not saying Aldridge solely relies on the post, but to say he's like Dirk, well, I think is way off base... Maybe we're both not articulating what we mean, but, Aldridge definitely operates far more in the post and far closer to the basket than either Dirk or Kevin Love.

OK, maybe a one-to-one comparison to Dirk isn't accurate. A mixture of Dirk and Pau Gasol would be though.

And do you really think Aldridge operates closer to the basket than Kevin? Take a look at their shot selections for this past season. Kevin was shooting so many threes and still posted a higher percentage in "close" and "inside" shots than Aldridge.

 

[kookoo]

I feel like with Smith, Kyrie and LeBron, Aldridge would be a better fit than Kevin. I'm not saying I don't love Love, but his size, mobility and ability to play in the post would be beneficial. I know what you're thinking "doesn't Kevin Love have a good post game?" Yes, he does. But he's also a great 3 point shooter, which for some reason (possibly injuries) is what Blatt has made him. I feel like with Aldridge, Blatt would draw up way more inside plays. Or who knows, maybe Blatt will turn him into a spot up shooter too.

Can't go wrong either way.

 

[gourimoko]

Nah man, we'd have to give up Love.

Are you saying because of fit, or because of salary? I'm not concerned about the fit, because personally I don't see the problem.

Love and Aldridge on the same front line wouldn't be that good defensively anyways.

Against what teams? In what matchups would this present more of a problem for us than our opponent?

Aldridge can't play center, he's not that kind of player. He can in play in spurts, but it's not ideal.

He plays center all the time.. He spent almost a third of his minutes there last year at center and posted a PER of 24.1 with an Opp Per of 14.4

I dunno, but to me I think it's kinda silly to say LaMarcus Aldridge is a liability at center, or would be somehow worse than say Tristan Thompson or Timofey Mozgov or anyone else we could realistically have fill the position.

I'm sorry, I respect you guys' opinion on this, but as I see it, that logic doesn't make sense.

And let's be real, maybe Kevin really would want to go back to Oregon. That's not a detriment to how he feels here, but there is no place like home. Playing in your home town is a big deal, but who wants to do it when the team really sucks?

I doubt Kevin Love wants to leave Cleveland, especially this offseason. And I'd rather keep Love than trade for Aldridge (unless the Cavs doctors think otherwise).

And if that's something he wants, you ask him, and if he does, then make the swap with Aldridge. Do I think it's happening? No, I think Kevin will be back, but it's good to know how Aldridge feels, given say Kevin feels different, there are at least good options out there.

I agree, it's good to know Aldridge wants to be here. But I'd like to know if it's possible to play both, even if some of us don't consider Aldridge to be capable of playing the traditional role of a center (not that you need one in either case).