There is a visibly new name on the market before the March 25 trading deadline – and he is a great man. The LaMarcus Aldridge center and the Spurs “mutually agreed” to part ways, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said on Wednesday.
Spurs are buying Aldridge on the market, which is in the last year of its contract before reaching the free agency. Aldridge, 35, has an average of 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his 14th season in the league. Although his cousin is behind, Aldridge used to be a household name and has a long history with the league.
Are the Celtics interested?
Similar to the old Piston and current Net Blake Griffin, Aldridge is not the same player as before. He made seven All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams and his jump has always been solid, but he has taken a step back this season. The Spurs were a relative surprise at 18-14 during the first half of the season, but they are overcoming the old big man.
Aldridge earns $ 24 million this season, meaning that he would fit into the $ 28.5 million exception from the Celtics, the largest in the league’s history. It is still unclear whether Aldridge can be bought, but the big man still has some value, which means that Spurs can get some assets in return.
In terms of fit, Aldridge would be exactly what Celtics President Danny Ainge described as being: a big man who knows how to shoot. Aldrige has always been consistent in the middle range, but he has been solid in the 3-point range for the past two seasons. He hit 38.9% out of 3.0 attempts out of 3 last year; that number is at 36% at 3.6 3 points per game this season.
The defensive concerns around Aldridge are also just, when it comes to adjustment. Aldridge lost eight of 11 games to the Spurs before the All-Star break, as he was out due to injuries to his hips and quadriceps.
It is likely that the Celtics would have to send one of their great men, perhaps Daniel Theis or Tristan Thompson, in exchange, as the team is full of guys who can play from the bottom. Robert Williams III is the third option, but he seems to be solidifying his way to the center of the future.
Aldridge is just another potential target for the Celtics in the next two weeks before the negotiation deadline. Boston is soon in full swing, with Marcus Smart returning on Thursday and Romeo Langford approaching his return, but he could use some upgrades on duty sitting at 19-17 and fourth in the Eastern Conference.