NBA Trade Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green in trade talks with Cavaliers
By John Buhler
San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge may be on the move out of Texas. He and teammate Danny Green have been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
When power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was the darling of 2015 NBA free agency, many thought that he would be an excellent fit for the San Antonio Spurs. However after two sub-par performances in the Western Conference Playoffs, the Spurs have become increasingly okay with dealing their All-Star big man.
According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, the Cleveland Cavaliers have begun throwing around Aldridge’s name in trade discussions that have already included Spurs shooting guard Danny Green.
Green spent his first year in the NBA with the Cavaliers. He might welcome a return to Northeast Ohio to play with LeBron James. Would Aldridge be on board with a trade to the Cavaliers? Is he even compatible with what Cleveland wants to do offensively?
#Cavs and #Spurs talks, previously centered on Danny Green, now also include LaMarcus Aldridge, league sources tell AmicoHoops.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 22, 2017
Cleveland would have to trade presumably either Kevin Love to the Spurs to make this deal work. Aldridge is an excellent mid-range shooter, but is reluctant to extend his offensive game from beyond the arc. He’s also not on board with playing stretch five, preferring the traditional power forward.
He could mesh marvelously down low in Cleveland alongside defensive-minded center Tristan Thompson. Adding Aldridge would ensure that James would be a facilitator out on the wing at the three instead of playing stretch four at times.
Green would add the sharp-shooting that Cleveland covets. Aldridge would add a bit of muscle on the inside to play alongside Thompson. It’s a weird fit for sure, but it’s one that might be different enough to help the Cavaliers get past the Golden State Warriors in future NBA Finals.
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Cleveland can’t trot out the same team from this past year and expect to hang tough with the Warriors. Aldridge isn’t the answer to the Cavaliers’ Warriors woes, but he isn’t exactly winning fans over in San Antonio either.