I mean, Aldridge would likely play center on this team. Durant is a sf. Aldridge/Randle/Durant/Clarkson/Russell is plenty big enough in today's NBA. Unfortunately, I agree. Leonard and Parker is still better than anything we have as it pertains to proven commodities. Even without Duncan, Aldridge/Parker Leonard will likely be better than Aldridge/Randle/Russell for the next 2-3 years. And then after that, who care? This is is one shot at a title. But if I'm Aldridge, not sure who he's so quick to bail on Portland. Even after signing him I think they still have a max slot available. Aldridge/Love/Lillard could be deadly. What about Aldridge/Wade/Lillard?
I think he's ready to move on from that small market where he had concerns of them ever finding another person to come play there. That's why you go to either a big market or a vastly more successful small market. The idea that Durant is still in the Lakers mind pretty much cements it to me: DeAndre Jordan HAS to be big on the Lakers' minds right now.
Weird Its up to him though i thought they'd build around him and lillard but they dont seem to be contenders anytime soon
He says Aldridge just hasn't made any decisions yet. He is refuting reports that Aldridge said he's not returning at all.
Got it Wonder why they reported he had ruled out a return so quickly. We shall see what he ends up deciding
Reading the thread late, I'll this... I dont see Randle and LA on the same team. I agree LA is not a C which means he plays PF. I don't think he is all that Jazzed about playing next to Duncan and that lineup makes no sense with Leonard, Duncan, Aldridge - very clunky if you asked me. Perhaps the trade of Batum (whom I thought would be a great fit with us) changed LA's mind about how serious Portland was about keeping him. I think if we get LA, unfortunately, Randle either becomes a 6th man or gets dealt. Who plays center is the big question. LA and Ed Davis for now? I think we wait and see, and LA was probably wanting to play alongside boogie for Lakers. Boogie is not coming. So lets see...
I do not think we trade Randle if we sign Aldridge. Apparently we are very high on Randle, why would you trade top talent just because you signed an All-Star. We'd make it work, whether that's Randle at the 3 some, or Aldridge at C, I don't know, but we'd make it work. Also, if we got Cousins, I don't believe the money is there for Aldridge, don't think he was counting on playing with him, probably hasn't crossed his mind. And Ed Davis wants a lot of money, we probably can't keep him if we get Aldridge either.
Read an article today about how the Spurs are confident that Timmy and Manu are coming back for one more season. Spurs have great optimism that both of them will sign for peanuts to allow them to go after LMA with max. Sons of Bs.
Hey come here! We're willing to make the best players our franchise ever had play for pennies! Just kidding. The Lakers would never think to make that pitch.
I wonder how that will play out. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the players association was frowning on guys signing those kinds of deals because it creates the perception that everyone should do that and makes guys look bad for wanting to be paid what they are worth. I expect Manu and Tim to sign cheap deals, but I'm interested in how other players react to that.
They didn't want young guys like (at the time) Wade settling for less. Older guys have been settling for less for a long time. I don't think they'll mind. It does set an unrealistic example though.
