LaMarcus Aldridge: Top 5 Free Agency Destinations
Honorable Mention: Cleveland Cavaliers
This one obviously only applies if Kevin Love opts out and heads somewhere else during free agency this summer, but given his up-and-down relationship with LeBron James over the past year, we have to include this possibility.
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On the one hand, it seems unlikely Love goes elsewhere. With 4-6 months of rehabilitation for that dislocated shoulder ahead of him, his free agency value might not be as high on the market as it is in Cleveland. The Cavaliers know how he fits into their offense and despite the public perception that he took a major step backward this year, Love was simply filling his role.
The Cavs’ top priority this summer should be keeping Love, since he’s a better fit at power forward than Aldridge. Both can spread the floor with a perimeter shot, but Love’s touch extends beyond the arc (consistently). Love is also a better passer, he’s younger and we know the Cavs can compete for a title with him in the lineup.
But if the Cavs do lose out on the Love sweepstakes this summer, Aldridge would be their best possible alternative.
However, Cleveland would have to execute a sign-and-trade to make it happen, which would be difficult because Portland wouldn’t be particularly inclined to give their star up. Even if the Cavaliers put together a package that satisfied the Blazers, that might be an indication they’d be giving up too much.
Next: No. 5