Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Free Agency Options
3. LaMarcus Aldridge, UFA
Position: Power Forward
Age: 29
Experience: 9th Season
Slash Line: .466/.352/.845
Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 23.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.5 3PM
I, like many others, am very intrigued by what Julius Randle could become. Despite his season-ending injury in the first game of 2014-15, Randle has the potential to be a nightly double-double threat.
With the opportunity to land LaMarcus Aldridge, however, a short-term sacrifice would be nothing short of acceptable.
Aldridge is one of the league’s premier players, evolving from a productive player to one on the border of elite. He’s a four-time All-Star with two—and after 2015, like three—All-NBA nods under his belt.
It goes without saying that the Lakers will have interest in the franchise-altering power forward.
We know Knicks & Lakers will chase LaMarcus Aldridge come July, but at least two teams in Texas believe they have shot at him: Spurs & Mavs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 23, 2015
As a mentor to Randle and a star-caliber complement to Kobe Bryant, Aldridge would be an excellent fit in Los Angeles.
Aldridge is a revered scorer who has mastered the art of the mid-post. From a face-up or a back-to-the-basket stance, he’s superb from 12-to-16 feet and has improved his range to beyond the arc.
Aldridge doesn’t provide elite defense, but he’s a strong enough defender to help L.A. improve. Assuming they find a rim protector to work alongside him, the Lakers could solidify their interior for years to come.
It’ll require a max contract, but if Aldridge expresses mutual interest, it would behoove Mitch Kupchak to bring him in.
Next: Returning to Los Angeles