Latest Rumors On The Destination Of LaMarcus Aldridge, The Heat Join The Conversation
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Miami Heat have joined the LaMarcus Aldridge conversation.
This may be seen as an effort to make sure that Dwyane Wade returns to the Miami Heat after opting out earlier this week. The Miami Heat know that they cannot have both Wade and Aldridge, especially after giving Goran Dragic a five-year, $90 million deal on Wednesday, but they could pull off some kind of crazy sign-and-trade, which might not even be possible. But if Pat Riley is involved it could be possible for the Miami Heat.
LaMarcus Aldridge's meeting with Miami tonight will be a dinner with Pat Riley, sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2015
Just talked to a Heat source who was in dark on this but said it best: "It's Pat, man. When doesn't he try to get in the room?"
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 2, 2015
Wojnarowksi also reported that the LaMarcus Aldridge will meet with the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time, after the first meeting left Aldridge wanting so much more. Aldridge will only be meeting with Mitch Kupchak (Lakers GM) and Byron Scott (Lakers Head Coach) and the main focus will be on basketball, which Aldridge said was the problem with the original meeting. Notice how Kobe Bryant will not be involved with this meeting. Aldridge clearly wants to put business to the side and talk about only basketball.
Aldridge is, as Yahoo! reported, meeting a second time with the Lakers this afternoon, & will be meeting with Pat Riley in L.A., per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
The second meeting with the Lakers will only involve GM Mitch Kupchak and Coach Byron Scott, & will only be about basketball, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
While the Lakers are getting a second chance with LaMarcus Aldridge, the New York Knicks won’t get a crack at the all-star center, according to David Aldridge. Apparently, he declined this meeting because the Knicks would like to play him at center, which he has said he does not want to do.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings: LaMarcus Aldridge has cancelled his meeting with the Knicks today, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
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
Has Phil Jackson tweeted to tell us how free agency is goink yet?
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 2, 2015
The Phoenix Suns completed a trade with the Detroit Pistons which sent Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock, and Danny Granger in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2020. This transaction was made to clear cap space as the Suns plan to pursue LaMarcus Aldridge with great intent on signing him to a max deal. This comes just one day after the Suns signed Tyson Chandler, another big man, to a four-year, $52 million deal. This leaves about $20 million for the Suns, making a maximum contract for the power forward possible.
Pistons have yet to decide on future of Danny Granger, acquired w/Reggie Bullock & Marcus Morris from Phoenix for future draft pick.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
Two teams have traded players in order to clear cap space to sign Aldridge (Suns and Spurs). The Spurs gave up much more, which was their starting center (Tiago Splitter).
The LaMarcus Aldridge news is at its peak right now, and he seems farther away from a deal than ever. The Spurs remain the frontrunners in the discussion, but with so many other teams in the conversation, the Spurs can’t be as confident as they were when the first day of free agency ended.
https://twitter.com/Adam_Klug/status/616710370686730240
Some people will call LMA a volume meeting-taker. I disagree. You saw the free agent class. Who else was gonna take those meetings?
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) July 2, 2015
Sounds like LaMarcus Aldridge has narrowed his choice down to the following teams: pic.twitter.com/YvvsqAyr6v
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 2, 2015
[Image Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images]