Raptors To Meet With LaMarcus Aldridge
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
News broke earlier this afternoon that the Toronto Raptors are in line to meet with LaMarcus Aldridge when free agency starts July 1st.
LaMarcus Aldridge plans to give the Raptors a meeting this week, sources tell RealGM. Aldridge has interest in TOR, which has max space.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2015Now whether or not the Raptors are a serious contender to sign Aldridge remains to be seen, the fact that a meeting is taking place is a huge step forward for the franchise. The Raptors haven't signed a big name free agent since they signed Hedo Turkoglu from the Magic after his dazzling performances in the NBA Finals. While Turkoglu didn't work out well in the slightest, Aldridge has the potential to launch the franchise into places it has never been. If Aldridge indeed signs with Toronto, it would make them instant NBA Finals contenders in the Eastern Conference. And that is huge for a team that in it's history, has never won a 7 game series.
For Aldridge, he has several options. He also plans to meet with the Spurs, Mavericks, Lakers, Knicks, and potentially the Rockets as well.
The Spurs are definitely an interesting option. They would have to do some maneuvering with the cap, like signing Duncan and Ginobili to discounted deals, as well as possibly trading Tiago Splitter. The problem with the Spurs is that neither Duncan or Aldridge want to play the center position. That could seem insignificant to Aldridge though, if in fact he wants to contend for a championship next season, while also being transitioned to be the Spurs star player along with Kawhi Leonard after Duncan retires. Spurs at this point are seen as the favorites to land Aldridge
The Mavericks are similar to the Spurs in the Aldridge race in this regard, they both give him the chance to return to his home state of Texas, but they would also make him play the center position, a position he has no interest in playing (as mentioned above). Also like the Spurs, the Mavs can make him the centerpiece after their current cornerstone retires, except the Mavericks don't have a player like Kawhi Leonard that he can team with. I would say the Mavericks have a chance to sign him, but I wouldn't bet on it.
I consider the Lakers and Knicks both non factors in the Aldridge sweepstakes. They are both in large markets, and can make him the star player, but neither of them have the roster capable of becoming a title contender if he joins them.
That brings us back to the Raptors. They have the advantage of being in the weaker Eastern Conference, they have one of the top fan bases in the entire NBA, they are hosting the 2016 All-Star weekend, they have 2 All-Star players already on the roster (Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan), and they also have a management team that are desperate to become a championship team and a relevant contender across the league. But I think the most important part, and most underrated part, of their bid to sign Aldridge is something the other teams don't have. They can guarantee him the spot of playing power forward. Placing him in the lineup next to an up and coming star center in Jonas Valanciunas is a perfect fit. Aldridge wouldn't have to guard centers, and he can dominate in the low post and play his mid-range game which ranks up as one of the best in the NBA. Raptors of course would not be the favorite to sign Aldridge by any stretch, but I would definitely consider them the dark horse.
