LaMarcus Aldridge: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Star PF

LaMarcus Aldridge has said he plans on signing a long-term deal with the Portland Trail Blazers this summer. Those within the organization, however, are beginning to have their doubts.

Continue for updates.

---

Brian Robb Discusses Celtics' Chances of Signing Aldridge

Monday, May 18

Bleacher Report Boston Celtics columnist Brian Robb weighed in on Aldridge's potential landing spots and broke down Boston's chances of signing him in free agency:

---

Spurs, Mavs Considered Favorites to Land Aldridge

Friday, May 1

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that two teams are seen as the front-runners to sign Aldridge away from the Blazers in the Spurs and Mavericks:

"

But the consistent word on the personnel grapevine at the minute informs us that San Antonio and Dallas not only believe they each have a real shot at signing him but are also legitimately in Aldridge's thoughts.

Does Aldridge, even accounting for his Dallas upbringing, really want to go home to North Texas or down to South Texas, where he'd essentially be casting himself as the heir apparent to either Dirk Nowitzki or Tim Duncan? Wouldn't he be putting himself in some awfully challenging circumstances to try to live up to the legacies of either of those certifiable legends?

Answer: We're hearing Aldridge connected to both of those teams so frequently that you can only conclude that neither idea scares him.

Yet sources insist -- yes, at this early juncture -- that San Antonio is near or at the top of Aldridge's list ... unless the Cleveland Cavaliers were to lose Kevin Love and then somehow manufacture a way to sign-and-trade for him.

"

Both teams have been frequently mentioned in conjunction with Aldridge. On April 29, Stein reported that Dallas plans to pursue Aldridge in free agency.

Stein previously reported on April 23 that there was a quartet of potential suitors for Aldridge, including the Mavericks:

Meanwhile, on April 21, Zach Lowe of Grantland reported on what he was hearing about Aldridge and a possible return to his home state of Texas once he becomes a free agent:

"

The Spurs accepted that risk because waiting to bump up (Kawhi) Leonard’s salary gives them the chance to dangle max cap space in front of Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge this summer. Neither is a good bet to leave his current team, but sources around the league have been saying for weeks that the Spurs might get a hearing with Aldridge — and that was before the Oregonian reported that at least one Blazers player thinks there is only a 50-50 chance that Aldridge stays in Portland.

"

---

Aldridge Speaks on Free Agency

Thursday, April 30

Aldridge spoke about his upcoming free agency the day after Portland's season came to an end, and when the topic of being highly sought after came up, the power forward told Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, "I’m not going to lie, you want to be wanted."

He also spoke about his time in Portland, saying: "I love being here. I’m thankful for everything this city has given me … it’s been an amazing 9 years," via Freeman.

---

Aldridge '50-50' to Re-Sign with Blazers

Monday, April 20

Jason Quick of The Oregonian reported Aldridge's teammates are "worried" the power forward will bolt when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.

"Some Blazers players have already said they are worried free agency will take Aldridge away from Portland this summer," Quick writes. "Earlier this month, before a home game, a Blazers player estimated the chances of him returning to Portland at 50-50."

Aldridge, 29, has spent his entire nine-year NBA career in Portland. He is eligible for a five-year contract that would run around $109 million, per Dan Feldman of ProBasketballTalk. Any other team would be limited to a four-year maximum that would involve him leaving $28 million guaranteed on the table. Aldridge has publicly maintained he would like to re-sign with Portland, which would make fiscal sense on the surface.

Don Ryan/Associated Press

That said, it's not entirely that simple. Aldridge, like many other free agents this summer, could leave the Blazers on a one-year contract while making more money in the long term. The NBA's new television deal is expected to create an influx of cap space around the league for the 2016-17 season, rapidly rising the maximum contract level.

If Aldridge wants to leave Portland, he could do so on a one-year deal and then sign a four-year contract with his new team in 2016. That would involve forfeiting his Bird rights—creating a bit of tricky cap limbo—but it's a possibility that cannot be discounted.

Either way, with Portland looking like it's in danger of a first-round playoff exit, nerves may be running high in the locker room for good reason.  

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter