The recently purchased big man LaMarcus Aldridge will not return to the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic. Quick indicates that he was informed that the role in Portland would not be significant enough to warrant a meeting. Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is expected to return against the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The reserve center Enes Kanter performed well in the absence of Nurkic. With the pivot position full again, Aldridge would become a third wheel.
Being warned from LaMarcus Aldridge to Portland is not going to happen. It’s not a big enough role for him, with Nurkic coming back on Friday and Enes Kanter playing so well.
– Jason Quick (@jwquick) March 25, 2021
Aldridge was officially purchased by the San Antonio Spurs after today’s trading deadline
LaMarcus Aldridge returned $ 7.25 million in a purchase contract with Spurs, sources said @TheAthletic @Stadium. Aldridge owed $ 24 million this season. The Miami Heat is a strong candidate to sign the ex-All-Star as a free agent, by sources, with Portland, among others, in the mix.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2021
Earlier this week, Marc Stein of The New York Times reported that the Miami Heat was on the bench to land Aldridge if he were bought.
Earlier this month, Spurs announced that it had mutually agreed to separate Aldridge’s path with San Antonio working to find a new home for the 15-year-old veteran.
Aldridge has spent the past six seasons with the San Antonio Spurs after drastically leaving the Blazers during the 2015 off-season.
Aldridge had previously discussed a possible return to Portland and a meeting with former teammate Damian Lillard.
In 21 games this season, Aldridge averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Blazers currently have two spots open after today’s exchange with the Toronto Raptors, who sent Gary Trent, Jr. and Rodney Hood to Toronto for Norman Powell.