The LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes might still be hyper-competitive after all. Following a day of meetings and rumors that seemingly narrowed his realistic free agency destinations down to the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns, the four-time All-Star has added a pair of Thursday sit-downs to his schedule.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Aldridge will hear a second pitch from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers will get a second meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge today in Los Angeles, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2015
It was reported shortly after his meeting with the Lakers on Wednesday that the sweet-shooting big man was no longer considering the purple-and-gold because their presentation focused too much on the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. It’s no surprise, then, that the crux of Aldridge’s Thursday session with Los Angeles is basketball-only. Via CBS Sports’ Ken Berger:
The Lakers' second meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge today will involve Mitch Kupchak and Byron Scott, source says. Focus will be on-court.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 2, 2015
The Lakers, though, aren’t the only team to get some surprise face-time with the league’s marquee free agent. After multiple outlets noted that Pat Riley was en route to Southern California to conduct innocuous free agency business, ESPN’s Marc Stein confirmed speculation that Aldridge will also visit with the Miami Heat.
LaMarcus Aldridge's meeting with Miami tonight will be a dinner with Pat Riley, sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2015
Dinner with Riley, sources say, will come AFTER LaMarcus Aldridge has his afternoon briefing with Laker GM Mitch Kupchak & coach Byron Scott
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2015
Anything can happen in free agency, and the Lakers and Heat understand that reality more than most franchises. Their rabid fanbases should indeed be excited that Aldridge is suddenly giving both teams consideration.
Having said that, it would be downright shocking if he ultimately decided to sign with Los Angeles or Miami. The former lacks the established talent to compete for a championship next season, while the latter would have to complete a major roster overhaul – or convince the Portland Trail Blazers to work a sign-and-trade – just to shed enough cap space to sign a max-level free agent. The Spurs, Suns, and even Blazers still seem more likely winners of the Aldridge bidding than either the Lakers or Heat.
Even so, the long-shot odds of both teams are still better than nonexistent ones of the New York Knicks. NBA.com’s David Aldridge reports that the 29-year-old cancelled his planned meeting with Phil Jackson and company.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings: LaMarcus Aldridge has cancelled his meeting with the Knicks today, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2015
Obviously, we’ll continue to keep you updated on Aldridge’s status as more information becomes available.
[Via Adrian Wojnarowski, Ken Berger, Marc Stein, David Aldridge]
