NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge, Jimmy Butler and More

Although a thrilling second round is nearing its climactic conclusion, over two-thirds of NBA teams are into their offseason agendas.  With massive changes on the horizon stemming from the league's unprecedented salary-cap rises, the extra time to strategize against how players and agents will react could give these organizations a leg up.

Consequently, it's little surprise that free-agency buzz has already started, even with the July 1 league holiday still six weeks away.  It's hard to imagine too many of the top names leaving their incumbent employers, but some players entering their primes might take one- or two-year pacts to set themselves up for the real spending spree, adding a true wild-card element to these negotiations.

Let's take a look at some of the latest buzz surrounding two marquee free agents, as well as an intriguing wrinkle to one team's head-coaching search.

Portland Duo Shipping to Boston?

Among rebuilding teams, the Boston Celtics are in a unique position.  Brad Stevens' squad is too well-coached and gritty to tank, but far too lacking in premium talent to legitimately contend, even in the mediocre East.  

Thus, it comes as little surprise that CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely reported that C's general manager Danny Ainge has prepared to go all-in for the Portland Trail Blazers duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews:

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My understanding is the Celtics are going to be open to putting together some type of package deal where they would not only bring in LaMarcus Aldridge, they'd bring in one of his good friends by the name of Wes Matthews. Now, if you're the Celtics and you can put together a deal to get those two guys in town, you've gotta do it.

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Being open to a deal and closing it are entirely different matters, and it would be surprising to see Aldridge sign with a rebuilding squad as he approaches his age-30 season, even one with as much promise as the Celtics.  The longtime Blazer has most prominently been associated with the San Antonio Spurs, who could have max cap space depending on the retirement plans of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.

Aldridge's best play is probably to stay safe and sign long term, whether with Portland, San Antonio or a dark horse like Boston.  Although Aldridge doesn't necessarily feel like someone who can be the alpha dog on a championship-winning squad, his numbers suggest someone who has been among the most durable and consistent forwards in the league the past four seasons:

	Total Minutes	Win Shares	PER
	9,794	30.3	21.8
Forward Rank (Last 4 Seasons)	6	10	8

Matthews is a more tenuous proposition and seems likelier to remain in Portland as he rehabs from a debilitating Achilles injury.  Barring a can't-refuse offer from the Spurs, it's currently looking like a wise bet that Aldridge also remains in his familiar Pacific Northwest abode.

Butler's Suitors

In a league driven by wing play, Jimmy Butler's emergence has made him among the NBA's most valuable commodities.  In winning the Most Improved Player award, Butler became more productive and efficient in every manner en route to finishing 24th in PER among players who played at least half their games, per Basketball-Reference:

With restricted free agency coming up, the Chicago Bulls will almost surely need to match a max offer sheet to keep the player who could extend their window of contention during the Derrick Rose era.  However, Real GM's Shams Charania suggests that the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks could both make hard runs at Butler, potentially straining Chicago's cap:

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Outside of Chicago, teams are already preparing possible maximum-salary offer sheets for Butler in free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers as one of several expected suitors, league sources told RealGM. Even Butler’s college area connection, the Milwaukee Bucks, will have cap space in July. Around the league, there’s a question: How will Chicago handle the inevitable max out of a star player not named Rose?

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According to Sham Sports, the Bulls currently have $64.45 million in cap commitments for the 2015-16 season, including a $3 million hold for Butler's qualifying offer.  

Obviously, his actual cap number will come in far above that figure. Given that next year's salary cap has been projected at around $67.1 million, per Draft Express' Jonathan Givony (h/t Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk), the Bulls will have to find a way to squeeze him in, but it should be possible.

The issue would then be what kind of pieces the Bulls could add around Rose and Butler, which could force some tough decisions on Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah.  But Butler is likely the team's top priority behind Rose, so whatever Los Angeles or any other team does is likely just going to drive up the bill the Bulls ultimately foot.

Magic Players for Thibodeau?

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If Butler is a virtual certainty to stick around, the opposite holds true for his current head coach, Tom Thibodeau.  It's been common knowledge for months that Thibodeau and the Bulls are headed for a divorce, with a recent report from CBS Sports' Ken Berger suggesting that the defensive guru could be bound for the New Orleans Pelicans' opening.

However, it appears another wild card has come into play in the form of the Orlando Magic.  According to the Journal Times' Gery Woelfel, Thibodeau has the Magic job if he wants it, with Scott Skiles and Scott Brooks serving as Orlando's secondary preferences:

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While Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau is the leader in the Orlando Magic vacant coaching clubhouse, Scott Skiles and Scott Brooks are still in contention. I’m hearing the Magic job is Thibodeau’s if he so desires, although some basketball insiders are speculating New Orleans could be Thibodeau’s preferred landing spot. Skiles hasn’t coached since being jettisoned by the Bucks in January of 2013, but has a huge fan in Richard DeVos, the Magic owner.

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Orlando is chock-full of uber-athletic young upside, even though it hasn't won more than 25 games in three years.  Moreover, playing in the East offers a more immediate path to contention, especially as the likes of Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon mature.  

However, ESPN's Marc Stein suggests that Thibodeau's relationship with Anthony Davis, as well as Davis' own immense talent, could push his decision to the Bayou:

The Pellies have no immediate championship path, as their current roster appears maxed out in the brutal West.  But Davis is the best starting chip in the league and should make New Orleans a prime free-agent destination as Thibodeau tightens up the callow Pelicans' defensive discipline.