There are a number of big-name free agents who will be available this summer, many of whom will be highly sought after by a number of teams. Arguably the best among them is Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
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Aldridge will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and according to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers will be among the number of teams who will chase him once free agency begins:
We know Knicks & Lakers will chase LaMarcus Aldridge come July, but at least two teams in Texas believe they have shot at him: Spurs & Mavs
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 23, 2015
With max money at their disposal, it makes complete sense that the Lakers would go after someone of Aldridge’s caliber. Their chances of luring him to Los Angeles, however, will be difficult, especially if both the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks are in the conversation.
Aldridge is a Texas native, being born in Dallas and going to college at the University of Texas. If those teams, who are playoff teams already, can match the money the Lakers are offering, it will be extremely difficult for the Lakers to convince him to come to the re-building project in Los Angeles.
There is still a very good chance that Aldridge remains in Portland, though reports say that chances are increasing that he could bolt this summer. If there is any chance that they can bring him to Los Angeles, the Lakers would be wise to pursue it as the four-time All-Star could be a franchise changer.
[divide]2015 Lakers Exit Interviews: Mitch Kupchak