New York Knicks: Meeting With LaMarcus Aldridge Off

By Kaveh Jam | Jul 3, 2015

Mar 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) warms up before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Canada Centre. The Trail Blazers beat the Raptors 113-97. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The LaMarcus Aldridge free agent tour rolls on—just apparently without a stop in New York. The coveted free agent big man has been of particular interest to a handful of teams and is continuing to field meeting invitations from prospective suitors.

The New York Knicks won’t be one of them. Aldridge canceled his meeting with the team after he learned New York was interested in having him play the center position, something he has made clear he will not entertain. While in Portland, the Blazers acquired Robin Lopez, a defensive-minded center that allowed Aldridge to move to his natural power forward position.

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Knicks meeting was cancelled once it became clear NY wanted Aldridge to play center, something he is adamant against doing, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015

This same dynamic is now taking shape in Phoenix with their recent acquisition of center Tyson Chandler, making the Suns a serious option for Aldridge. Barring an unforeseen turn of events, New York will likely move on to other free agent options.

The Knicks have had a curious beginning to free agency. Largely differing from Knick tradition, they have taken a more guarded approach in negotiations with free agents and appear to be in no hurry to hand out those vintage multi-year Knick contracts.

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After Greg Monroe decided to take the Milwaukee Bucks maximum contract offer, there were conflicting media reports as to whether New York had actually even offered Monroe a max deal.

While refreshing to see the Knicks work with such due diligence, the team should be prepared to hit the gas on an opportunity that would improve the team while not handcuffing future flexibility. The Knicks position as a current bottom-feeder makes it highly unlikely destination for a truly elite free agent.

Instead, the team should take a more patient rebuilding approach and avoid undercutting an inevitable process, something they have repeatedly done in the recent past.

The Knicks made progress in that direction with the signing of two-way shooting guard in Arron Afflalo. At two years and $16 million, New York is arguably getting the most valued deal in all of free agency thus far. Afflalo is expected to fill the void left by Tim Hardaway Jr., who was shipped to the Atlanta Hawks on draft day for point guard Jerian Grant.

Afflalo will be reunited with Carmelo Anthony after having spent time together as teammates with the Denver Nuggets from 2009-11.

Source close to talks says Robin Lopez has COMMITTED to join Knicks and will do so ... UNLESS DeAndre Jordan chooses Knicks
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 3, 2015

Meanwhile, the Knicks were reported to have received a solid confirmation from Lopez with the condition that DeAndre Jordan does not join the team. Although unlikely, New York is expected to continue to hold the cap space for Jordan until being officially ruled out. A Lopez coup would likely not open an avenue to the Aldridge sweepstakes.

Even without him, Lopez figures to fill an immediate need at center for a Knick team that desperately lacks shot blocking and interior defense.

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