NBA Trade Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge wants to stay with Portland Trail Blazers long term
By Josh Hill
This past week saw a crazy rumor surface, albeit one that is dated and long since expired. Ric Bucher commented on LaMarcus Aldridge’s year with the Blazers and how it almost happened in Chicago with the Bulls instead. But the Joakim Noah for LaMarcus Aldridge swap never happened, although it opened the door for fans around the league to fantasize about acquiring the potential MVP of the league this year.
The Portland Trail Blazer obviously didn’t want to trade Aldridge to the Bulls last summer and definitely don’t want to trade him now. Lucky for Blazers fans, Aldridge’s feelings about staying in Portland are mutual as the star forward and center commented on wanting to stay in Portland long term, hushing any trade rumors that may be swirling about him.
Per Aldridge’s interview with Chris Broussard:
"“I’m here. I love it here. This team is good and we’re winning. I’ve been here my whole career. I’m in the history books here. I don’t want to leave. I feel this team is good enough to win it all one day and be there.”"
This shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise as Aldridge has stuck with the Blazers through a lot of bad seasons and he’s just now seeing the team flourish into the force we always thought Portland could be in the West. A lot of work still lies ahead, but Aldridge has tunnel vision for Portland and that couldn’t be more harmonious to the ears of Blazers fans everywhere.