LaMarcus Aldridge has been in trade rumors recently. The speculation is that the San Antonio Spurs are not impressed with the way he played last season. If he will not improve, he might be traded to other teams.
According to YIBADA, one of the possible destinations for Aldridge is the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for Paul Millsap.
Aldridge was the second overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers. In his 10 years in the league, he averages 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 block per game in 722 NBA regular season games, per Wikipedia.
He was in five NBA All-Star games. He is also a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2007, an All-NBA Second Team in 2015 and an All-NBA Third Team three times.
LaMarcus Aldridge is really an All-Star caliber player in the league. One of the best big men in the NBA now. If this trade pushes through, he will be teaming up with one of the best centers in the league today, Dwight Howard.
Although Howard dropped a notch and is probably in the declining years of his career, he still plays well. If Howard and Aldridge will be the starting frontcourt for the Hawks, they might become one of the best starting frontcourt in the NBA.
Last season, the Hawks finished the season with a record of 48-24 win-loss column. They were swept by the eventual NBA Champions Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
They lost Al Horford last offseason when he chose to sign with the Boston Celtics while Jeff Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers.
Since they lost two of their starters last season, they might win fewer games this season. Although there's a high chance that they will still be in the playoffs. But if they get Aldridge, they might have more chance to dip deep in the playoffs.
If Paul Millsap moves to the Spurs, he will be more fit to the system of the Spurs. Unlike Aldridge who is more comfortable in scoring with the ball in his hands, Millsap is the type of player who scores by moving off the ball and getting himself open.
But as much as fans wanted to see the Aldridge and Howard pairing together in the post, this trade might not going to happen. With the departure of Tim Duncan, Aldridge could be that guy who could replace Duncan in the low post.
Kawhi Leonard is now the Spurs' franchise player. But they need a veteran guy like Aldridge who could mentor the younger generations. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are still in the Spurs' line-up. But their years with San Antonio will soon be over.
This trade is close to impossible.
