LaMarcus Aldridge Reportedly Met With the Blazers About a Trade

When rumors of wanting a trade out of Portland initially surfaced, Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge denied them. They simply won’t go away, however. CSNNW reports that Aldridge’s reps and GM Neil Olshey met on Sunday in Las Vegas to discuss a possible trade: “According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, the meeting was described as being productive with both sides focused on doing what’s best for both parties. Aldridge, 27, has two years and roughly $30 million remaining on his current contract and I’m told Olshey is in no rush to facilitate a deal at the urging of a player’s camp, especially if the organization isn’t getting equal value in return. Trading Aldridge for a collection of draft picks will not be an option. Prospective teams holding the rights to Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford and Anthony Davis, as of now, have declined to involve their franchise players in any potential deals for Aldridge, a league said. Unless something changes after Summer League, the likely development is Aldridge returning to Portland next season and having a strong year to increase the likelihood of Olshey pulling the trigger on a deal. When Aldridge is a year removed from becoming a free agent, his camp will have more leverage than at the current time.”