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NBA Free Agency: Top 5 teams for LaMarcus Aldridge

By James Simpson II

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) before game four against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) before game four against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Los Angeles Lakers

This one here is my dark horse pick. Just like the Knicks, the Lakers basketball-wise are not in a good situation right now. Yet, they will have plenty of cap space to throw around this offseason, Kobe Bryant will be back for at least one more year, promising rookie Julius Randle will be healthy next season, and rookie steal Jordan Clarkson is a bright spot. L.A. is expected to have a top-five draft pick ( and another late first round pick), and plus they’re the Lakers for crying out loud. They never stay down for long.

We already know about the allure of Tinseltown involving Hollywood, the weather, the women, everything Los Angeles has to offer that other franchises and cities simply can’t offer, not to mention the rich hoops history. But what makes going to the Lakers so appealing for Aldridge is that he has a chance to catapult himself as an all-time great (maybe I’m pushing it) if he could lead L.A. to a championship down the line. Put it this way, leading the Lakers to a title is ten times more impressive than leading the Blazers to a title just because of the extra added pressure from the fans and media and it’s all because of the mystic of the Laker franchise. Then again some players don’t want that extra pressure of playing in La La Land (I’m looking at you Dwight).

Surprisingly, the Lakers have some things working for them heading into next season. Whether LaMarcus Aldridge wants to be a part of the turnaround is anyone’s guess.

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