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Are The Los Angeles Lakers A Landing Spot For LaMarcus Aldridge?

By Jackson Sanders

Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bad: It’s A Positional Mismatch For LaMarcus Aldridge

The most precious asset the Los Angeles Lakers have right now is a power forward by the name of Julius Randle. It’s unknown whether he will turn into a star in the league, but it’s assumed that he will be quite good given where he was selected and the team’s view on him.

After all, the team reportedly had the opportunity to trade him before he broke his leg (to Phoenix) and after the injury had already occurred (to Boston). Clearly they weren’t interested in parting with the youngster for more established veterans.

So, given the Lakers’ commitment to their young power forward, it’s clear that there would be a bit of lineup shuffling to do since LaMarcus Aldridge plays the same position as Randle.

This could be filed under “a good problem to have” if the Lakers were able to net Aldridge, but for the player, it’s probably something to file under “a problem I don’t want to deal with”. The reason being that, in order for the two to play together, Aldridge would find himself setting up shop at center a good amount of the time.

Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

At 6’11” (versus Randle’s 6’9”) LaMarcus Aldridge is equipped to play the 5. The problem is, he doesn’t really want to, a view that has been documented.

It’s a situation similar to the Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh, who was forced into action at center during the “Heatles” quartet of Finals runs. And he’s spoken out about how having a true center can be helpful to him being his best.

Right now, the Lakers don’t have a center that could take the pressure off of LaMarcus Aldridge. Their best option from 2014-15 would have been Ed Davis, but he’s a free agent.

It’s possible that the franchise could end up with a player like Karl-Anthony Towns or Willie Cauley-Stein in the draft, allowing them a shot at a legitimate defensive center.

Tyson Chandler or DeAndre Jordan could be targets in free agency if the Lakers could make the numbers work.

Still, as currently constructed, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have the infrastructure to satisfy Aldridge, and it could be a deal-breaker.

Next: Now Playing: LaMarcus Aldridge

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