NBA Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge meeting with Toronto went well
LaMarcus Aldridge and the Toronto Raptors reportedly had a productive meeting.
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LaMarcus Aldridge is making his rounds in free agency, and according to veteran NBA reporter David Aldridge things went well with his most recent visit. DA tweeted out that Aldridge and the Toronto Raptors had a productive meeting; however, it appears unlikely that the coveted free agent will sign in The North.
Raptors did well in meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge, but it is unlikely he picks the Raptors, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
If Aldridge were to sign with Toronto it would give the Raptors quite a formidable post presence. The team more or less swapped out Amir Johnson (signed with the Celtics on Wednesday) for DeMarre Carroll (left Atlanta following a breakout year to join Toronto in free agency), and it still has gadfly forward Tyler Hansbrough. A trio of Aldridge, Carroll and Hansbrough would be better than any frontcourt in the Eastern Conference save, perhaps, Atlanta.
Assuming that Toronto is out of the running, then that makes two suitors removed from the picture. Aldridge reportedly ruled out signing with the Lakers after meeting with the team on Wednesday. There have been conflicting reports, but the consensus appears to be that he didn’t like the basketball section of L.A.’s proposal. With two teams down, things are slowly (very slowly) coming into focus.
It still appears as though San Antonio sits in the driver’s seat. The Spurs paved the way by trading Tiago Splitter, and are leaning heavily on their championship pedigree and strong outlook for the future. San Antonio’s proximity to UT-Austin, Aldridge’s alma mater, also bodes well for the team.
Other power players still in the mix include Phoenix and Dallas. The Suns ratcheted up the recruiting pitch immediately after landing Tyson Chandler in free agency. The Mavs, on the other hand, can play the hometown card, and also have room for Aldridge with Chandler now off the roster.