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NBA: 7 players with the most to lose in 2014-15

By Bryce Olin

Mar 21, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter of a game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter of a game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) posts up against San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (right) in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) posts up against San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (right) in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers 

Season G MP FG FGA FG% FT% TRB AST BLK PTS
2010-11 81 39.6 8.7 17.5 .500 .791 8.8 2.1 1.2 21.8
2011-12 ★ 55 36.3 8.8 17.1 .512 .814 8.0 2.4 0.8 21.7
2012-13 ★ 74 37.7 8.6 17.8 .484 .810 9.1 2.6 1.2 21.1
2013-14 ★ 69 36.2 9.4 20.6 .458 .822 11.1 2.6 1.0 23.2
Career 577 35.5 7.7 15.9 .488 .788 8.2 2.0 1.0 18.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/22/2014.

The Portland Trail Blazers have already committed to making a contract with Aldridge work after the season, and Aldridge has also committed to signing with the Blazers but will do so after the season.

The reason Aldridge will have to wait until after the season is because the current CBA doesn’t allow players like Aldridge to make as much money as they could if they hit the open market and took a max contract as a free agent.

In Aldridge’s case, if he took an contract extension from the Blazers, it would be for three-years, $55 million. By becoming a free agent, Aldridge can sign a five-year, $108 million contract, so it’s fairly obvious what Aldridge should do.

While it makes sense for Aldridge to become a free agent, he’s also taking a risk by not signing an extension. Say, for example, Aldridge gets seriously injured this season. The Trail Blazers would have some major decisions to make, and remember, the Trail Blazers and Aldridge haven’t had the best relationship throughout his entire career. A few years ago, Aldridge reportedly was seeking a trade.

What would the Blazers do if Aldridge was hurt? The two sides may have an agreement right now to give Aldridge a max contract in free agency, but things change everyday in the NBA. Of course, the Trail Blazers wouldn’t let him walk away completely, but would they hold up their end of the bargain?

If the Blazers did back out of their end of the bargain, Aldridge could miss out on millions of dollars.

That’s the risk Aldridge is willing to take. Hopefully, it works out for him and the Trail Blazers.

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