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Los Angeles Lakers 2015 Free Agency Primer

By Jackson Sanders

March 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers Prepared To Offer LaMarcus Aldridge A Four-Year Deal Worth $80 Million

A year after announcing his intention to become “the best Blazer ever” and remain with Portland long-term, four-time NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge figures to be looking for a new home. The Lakers seem to be climbing up the list of where he will resume his NBA career.

The Lakers feel confident that they can secure a quality big in free agency, a belief underscored by passing up center Jahlil Okafor in favor of guard D’Angelo Russell in the NBA Draft. Belief around the league is that the Lakers felt comfortable taking the gifted passer in Russell not only because he was their favorite player available, but also due to their chances of signing LaMarcus Aldridge when free agency begins July 1.

The Lakers’ primary competition for Aldridge is said to be the San Antonio Spurs, another team set for a franchise-shaping offseason. The Spurs will need to make a roster move or two in order to offer Aldridge the max-level contract he will command in free agency; trading Tiago Splitter has long been viewed as the move that would seal the deal.

There are plenty of other teams chasing LaMarcus Aldridge: Dallas, New York, Atlanta, and Toronto have been linked to the free-agent power forward, with a few other teams lurking.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s fit with the Lakers is a bit murky, mostly because the team lacks a true center to play alongside him. However, with Lakers’ lack of depth in regards to bigs overall, and their desire to land a star free agent, the team will have no problem throwing all of their financial resources at Aldridge:

"All their financial eggs now go into the big-man basket. They want to talk to LaMarcus Aldridge, he wants to listen, and if all goes well for both sides, the four-time All-Star signs a four-year, $80-million deal to be the Lakers’ power forward. Source: Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times"

All signs point to LaMarcus Aldridge being the Lakers’ top target as free agency approaches. If Los Angeles is his choice, there will be some sorting out of the lineup to do, but I’m sure the Lakers would love to solve that problem.

Next: Check One Option Off The List

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