Mavericks' Free Agent Target Analysis: LaMarcus Aldridge

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Our next free agent target just so happens to be another Texas native. LaMarcus Aldridge is an unrestricted free agent that appears to be interested in making a return to Texas. This power forward is insanely talented and the Mavs had made it clear that they will be pursuing him this summer. So what makes LaMarcus Aldridge so enticing? Let’s start by looking at his career history:

Career History:

LaMarcus Aldridge was a highly recruited player out of Seagoville High School in Dallas and ultimately committed to play at the University of Texas. He shined in his two years with the Longhorns and put his name into the into the 2006 NBA draft. The Toronto Raptors picked first in the draft and went with foreign star, Andrea Bargnani (BUST). The next pick belonged to the Chicago Bulls, and they selected LaMarcus Aldridge. Chicago immediately traded Aldridge to the Portland Trailblazers for Tyrus Thomas and one draft-&-stash player. We all know who won that trade. Although he didn't start right away, Aldridge eventually cracked the starting five and began to shine. After a terrific first year, Aldridge played an even bigger role in his sophomore season. LaMarcus Aldridge’s improvement earned him the Most Improved Player award for the 2007-2008 season. Although he’s faced a few injury prone seasons (something has to be wrong with that Portland training staff), his improvement has continued each and every year. He was selected to his first All-Star game in 2011 and has been selected every year since. Aldridge has proven his worth, so let’s dig into the pros and cons of this free agent big man.

PROS AND CONS OF LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE:

Pros:

Low post offense: Standing at 6’11, 240 pounds, Aldridge has absolutely no problem backing down his defender. The Trailblazers often run plays through him just by setting him up on the block and dumping the ball down to him. Aldridge finds a way to get to the rim when he’s in the post and his touch is perfect soft around the basket, but he can also throw down some emphatic dunks. If Aldridge is up against someone stronger than him, his long stature often helps him go up and over his defender with a low post hook shot. Having a dominant player to post up is always a plus for any team.

Stretch four capabilities: Although Aldridge has a powerful game in the post, he has no problem going away from the post for a jumper. If left open, LaMarcus Aldridge will knock down the mid-range jumper 9 times out of 10. Even if a defender is on him, his long arms and high release help him get the shot to go down more often than not. Aldridge has begun to pick up the Dirk Nowitzki fade away, and it is now officially a weapon in his offensive utility belt. If Aldridge can’t force his way to the rim or put up a hook shot over his defender in the post, he won’t hesitate to do a one-legged fade. Aldridge’s jumper doesn’t go far beyond the mid-range: He shot 1.5 threes per game and only made about 35% of those last season. Although his three point percentage has improved each season, everyone feels much more confident with him shooting inside the arc. Dirk is perhaps the best stretch four of all time, so maybe it’s time to raise the next best in LaMarcus Aldridge.

Rebounding: Aldridge’s height and brute strength make for a deadly combination when someone tried to box him out. LaMarcus only averaged 5 boards per game in his first season, but he’s obviously made it a priority to improve on this facet of his game. Aldridge pulls down 10.2 rebounds per game now (7.7 defensive, 2.5 offensive) and the number could continue to grow if he comes to Dallas. As mentioned in the Tyson Chandler and Deandre Jordan articles (http://sb.gg/AW8c and http://sb.gg/ATlF), the Mavs were dead last in the NBA in rebounds per game. An elite rebounder could be extremely helpful at the four since Dirk isn’t quite famous for his rebounding.

Dallas native: Aldridge attended Seagoville High School, smack dab in the middle of Dallas, Texas. LaMarcus has said that he would be happy with a move back to Texas, but this doesn’t seal the deal. Just another positive facet of the Mavericks’ pursuit of this particular free agent.

Cons:

Defense: Aldridge has the size and strength of a rim protector, but he doesn’t necessarily have the skills. People have thrown out the idea of putting LaMarcus at the starting center position, but there’s one caveat to this plan. If Aldridge were to be the Mavs’ starting center, that would keep Dirk as the starting power forward. Neither of them is good on defense, so this plan would fall apart. If the Mavericks do sign Aldridge, they will need to make a cheap, defensive center a priority (bring back Tyson). The effort is there and the length is there, but he just is not a great defender. Plain and simple.

Asking price: The Mavs aren’t worried about spending money this summer, but Aldridge’s asking price limits the Mavs. Although he hasn’t come out and said it, Aldridge will want a max-contract after every team that is targeting him offers that. Dallas has the money, but signing him means less room to sign other priorities. The Mavs have a stretch four, but they lack a defensive powerhouse. Deandre Jordan and Tyson Chandler are both elite rim protectors, but the Mavs would have to miss out on Deandre and HOPE that Tyson is willing to take less money if Aldridge signs. Hope is a scary thing to hold onto when it comes to building a team.

Durability: Aldridge has never played a full season in his 8 years in the NBA. Aldridge had offseason shoulder surgery before he entered the league in 2006 and also found that he was prone to shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat later in the season. The next season, Aldridge was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis causing him to miss a week in the middle of the season. Aldridge remained relatively healthy from 2008-2012 but was constantly bothered by previous injuries. After the Blazers were bounced out in the first round this season, Aldridge underwent thumb surgery to fix a torn ligament on his left hand. The injury should require at least 8 weeks of recovery. Is the risk worth the reward with this guy?

LaMarcus Aldridge is, without a doubt, one of the top players in the league, and he just continues to grow. While Aldridge is very injury prone, this should not deter the Mavs from pursuing him. Our training staff is unbeatable and this could help LaMarcus remain healthy going forward, should he sign with Dallas. I believe Dallas should pursue an elite defensive big man (Deandre) before Aldridge, but this guy isn’t a bad plan B (if he is plan B). If the Mavericks do sign LaMarcus Aldridge away from Portland and his other suitors (Spurs, Knicks, Lakers, etc.) then Tyson Chandler must be a priority. Dallas can’t afford to have a starting front line of Dirk and LaMarcus. The paint would be attacked all game, every game. Aldridge is definitely worth the max contract, but will the Mavs be the team to give it to him?

Statistics via espn.com