NBA: 4 players who are in need of a new home this offseason

LaMarcus Aldridge

If you went back five, or even eight years, and told the regular NBA fan that LaMarcus Aldridge would never win a championship; well they’d no doubt be surprised.

It’s been a strange year for the San Antonio Spurs, who for the first time since 1996 are going to miss out on the Western Conference playoff race.

There were a number of factors at play, and one of them may be how they used Aldridge this season. He and DeMar DeRozan, another pending free agent, haven’t really developed the two-man game San Antonio likely envisioned when they traded away Kawhi Leonard.

The Spurs have won just 27 games, and Aldridge’s looming $24-million salary next season isn’t very sexy in terms of where San Antonio needs to be as a franchise. He’s been a solid veteran for the Spurs, but would no doubt be better off on a team with higher aspirations.

Aldridge is averaging 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds this season. He’s also grown into a legitimate 3-point threat, now knocking down 38 percent of his shots from deep on 3 attempts per game.

Finding a trade may be best for both parties. Aldridge deserves an opportunity to chase a ring, and the Spurs would no doubt welcome a divorce. The Miami Heat were one of the reported suitors for the big man’s services at the trade deadline, but the two sides couldn’t strike a deal.

Another team that makes sense for Aldridge? His first NBA home, the Portland Trail Blazers.