Lamarcus Aldridge: Going "home" to the Spurs

In addition to that we hooked him up with a new prototype Oculus Rift headset and ran a s.o.t.a. CGI VR program for him that allowed him to experience the thrill of running onto the floor at Staples for the first time with the whole place going nuts and giving him a 3 minute standing ovation. He was filled with emotion and this huge smile was frozen on his face. The rest of us were smiling and nodding too, since he couldn't see us. Game over. Scoreboard!! Rest of the meetings for him now are just going through the motions.

 

You've still gotta make the pitch to those players.

 

I really think as far as destinations for LMA we are his 1b & the Spurs are his 1a. I really feel like we have a good shot here but still see SA as the front runner.

 

Now we play the waiting game. He's gotta meet with other teams then will make his choice. Hopefully right away and not dragged out

 

Good to know wonder what was tje difference. I think maybe dwight and melo just came in to hear the pitch but already had their minds made up and with aldridge he's actually "trying" to decide cuz his mind isnt made up yet.

I think if it comes down to money he comes here. He can make more in endorsements here and we have a young core to build around and if they pan out it takes a load off him

 

Yes i hope that when he makes his decision he just getsbit over with.

If he does sign with us it gives us time to make moves to acquire players we need before they all sign elsewhere

And if he doesnt sign here were not left to pick up the scraps no one else wanted

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-free-agency-20150701-story.html

This link provides some good info if somebody wants to post. I'm having trouble copying ad pasting right n

 

^^^


Lakers are first in line for a sit-down with free agent LaMarcus Aldridge
MIKE BRESNAHANcontact the reporter
The Lakers introduced themselves to LaMarcus Aldridge the moment free agency began Tuesday night, hoping to sign that still-elusive free-agent big man after being rebuffed the previous two summers.

Kobe Bryant and James Worthy joined an army of executives who met with Aldridge: Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss, Mitch Kupchak and Coach Byron Scott represented the franchise, along with pitchmen from AEG and TWC SportsNet and team vice presidents Tim Harris (business) and John Black (publicity).


The meeting lasted about two hours. The team had planned about an hour of business-type pitches that spoke to the branding potential of Aldridge as a member of the Lakers. Then the franchise's basketball side was expected to take over — Kupchak, Scott and assistant general manager Glenn Carraro — to talk on-court strategy if Aldridge joined them.

The Lakers have about $23 million to spend toward next season, and Aldridge would take up about $18.8 million if he agreed to a four-year, $80-million maximum deal.


The Lakers are somewhat hamstrung now but will be swimming in money next summer, freed from Bryant's $25 million salary for 2015-16 and presumably in the chase for Kevin Durant while eagerly taking advantage of the NBA's projected cap jump from $67 million to $90 million thanks to an influx of new TV money.

Aldridge, who turns 30 in two weeks, represents what the Lakers desperately need these days, an All-Star power forward who can score and rebound for a suddenly backcourt-heavy team.


The Lakers have a quietly positive feeling about signing the four-time All-Star, who played nine seasons with Portland. The Lakers and San Antonio are part of a "two-horse race" for Aldridge, according to a person familiar with his thinking. The extra $28 million he could get in a fifth contract year from Portland is not expected to factor into his decision.

Wednesday is shaping up as a busy day for the Lakers' pitch team. They are landing in time for a noon meeting with Greg Monroe in Washington DC after taking a red-eye flight from LAX. Then they return to Los Angeles for a night-time meeting with Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.

The Lakers will also meet with Cleveland forward Kevin Love either Thursday or Friday.

Monroe, 25, is a versatile big man, perhaps a bit undersized to play center full-time but a solid rebounder and reliable scorer as well. He averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds last season for Detroit, though he will meet with a handful of teams including New York.

Jordan, 26, might be the best rebounder-shot blocker in the game, though he is said to be split 50-50 on going to Dallas or returning to the Clippers.

Love, 26, had an off year in Cleveland and said in February there was not a scenario where he'd play for the Lakers, who had long admired his outside touch and rebounding proficiency. The Lakers managed to secure a meeting with him but the Cavaliers are thought to be overwhelming favorites to retain him.

The last two summers were tough sledding for one of the NBA's proudest franchises: Dwight Howard took less money and left for Houston, Carmelo Anthony listened intently but returned to New York, and Pau Gasol opted for a fresh start in Chicago, also for less money.

Kupchak promised the Lakers would continue to be aggressive and secured the first meeting with Aldridge, who planned to also meet with San Antonio and Dallas, among other teams.

Follow Mike Bresnahan on Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan


http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-free-agency-20150701-story.html

 

Thanks, LT

 

What's our chances of making the playoffs if we get Aldridge and a solid defensive center?

 

Eddie Zamora‏@eddiezamora_ 2h2 hours ago
@brosales12 Ramona just said on SC that brass showed LMA Lakers highlights& Kobe/Worthy talked about what it meant to be a laker star.

 

Ir depends on what moves other teams in the west make

For example if clips lose deandre will they look the same next year?

If san antonio strikes out on lamarcus will they be able to make a run with the same team as last year minus green?

Will the kings be better with rondo?

I also think that it largely depends on how our rookies do

We already know what we can expect from lamarcus but how fast will russell adapt to the nba? Will clarkson build on his play from last season. Will nance and brown be reliable enough to play consitently? And how will kobe come back. I think hes the x factor. If kobe is healthy, and our rookies ballout along with aldridge and a defensive center i think we can sneak into the playoffs and championship or not i think that will be BIG

 

I think its a good thing.

What does mostly every player dream about?

Their legacy.

If he were to come here and good things happen he knows that he will always be remembered for what he brought to the franchise and that they will make sure that his name is never forgotten, add that to the fact that hes joining one of the best franchises in history and you can bet your a** he was impressed

You can say they showed him a glimpse into his future

 

If getting LA means no Julius, then i hope he's in Texas asap.