NFL News: Browns hire Zak Gilbert as V.P. of communications
June 24, 2013All signs point to the Cavs selecting Nerlens Noel, per ESPN’s Chad Ford
June 25, 2013The Portland Trailblazers have reportedly rejected an offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers that would have sent All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge to Cleveland.
ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chad Ford collectively report that Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant offered both of his first-round selections (Nos. 1 and 19) for Aldridge. This report corroborates previous reports that the Cavaliers have not only tried to trade the first-overall selection for a veteran, but have a desire to acquire the Portland forward. In prior reports, the Cavaliers had spoken to the Trailblazers while including a package that included power forward Tristan Thompson and shooting guard Dion Waiters.
The Cavaliers have reportedly received calls regarding their No. 1 selection, potentially including a recently reported interest in Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng. Ford reports that the Trailblazers have been the most aggressive in trying to obtain the No. 1 pick, but, as reported by FOX Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico, the Cavaliers will not move it without receiving a hefty sum in return.
Aldridge, 27, is coming off of his third-consecutive season of at least 21 points and eight rebounds per contest and possesses a very efficient game. He is due to make over $30 million over the next two seasons, a contract that would tie up some of the team’s salary cap space into the 2015-16 season.
25 Comments
The one part I never understood about the Aldrige rumors is that I read on a Portland site that one of (the main?) reason Portland was willing to trade him is that he would be too old in a couple of years when Portland hopes to be good.
Wouldn’t that same logic apply to the Cavs, then? Even with him on the team it seems as if the Cavs are still a couple of years (and a couple of players) away from being a really good team.
Maybe I’m underestimating how far along the Cavs really are in their rebuilding?
I think it is faulty logic.
For some players, age30 is detrimental. Guys who rely on their athleticism for most of their game or guys with a ton of injuries whose bodies are just worn down.
Aldridge is a fundamental player who can hit jumpers and play defense and keeps himself in excellent condition (from what I can tell). Why can he not play into his mid-to-late 30s like Garnett, Duncan, etc. He will be 28yo next year, so that could be 7 more seasons from him.
I’m not a fan of comparing aging for absolute superstars to everyone else, Garnett and Duncan weren’t just able to hit jumpers and play d, they did those things at an elite level, and quite a few other things at an elite level too. Even when their skills diminished, they were already at such a high level, they could afford to take a hit. Does Aldridge have such elite skills that he can afford it?
I’d be happy with Z-like production, solid through 33, and a contributor through 35, but I wouldn’t give up these two picks for that, which may be what Aldrige ends up as.
Aldridge is not on their level. But, he has a similar skillset to Duncan (he just happens to not be the greatest PF of all time). He is likely to fall back from his mid-20s #’s back to his early-20s numbers (often what happens with these players including Garnett/Duncan). I will gladly take it.
I’m glad the Cavs aren’t willing to sell the farm to get Aldridge. I really like him as a player and think he’d be a great addition, but I’m not willing to part with both first round picks plus Waiters plus Thompson to land him. I think that puts the Cavs in a situation where they would really have to rely on getting free agent help, and with Cleveland being a not-so-popular destination for free agents, that probably wouldn’t be a good move.
It’s like you’re reading my mind. I also like that Chris Grant is willing to explore trades…but won’t make a trade just to make a trade.
I’m not really reading it so much as trolling it… I know, not cool, but it’s a slow day at work.
there’s no way the Portland GM could ask for that with a straight face. if so, Grant should reply that Ted Stepein sold the team 30years ago and start laughing himself.
If I had told you at this time last season that Chris Grant would get Marresse Speights, Wayne Ellington, a scrub PG and a future lottery pick for Jon Leuer, what would your reaction have been then?
flotsam and a lottery pick still has me giddy. and, just look at the Celtics struggling to find anyone willing to give them a lottery pick for Pierce!
Awwwww yeah. How are those two second-rounders looking now, Danny?
I read about “LA” on anther site about a month ago, regarding a waiters-Thompson for Aldridge centered deal, and the Portland fans were going crazy for it. Apparently Aldridge is very soft, and only can play the PF. He’s a big athletic finesse PF, one hat is hard to find, but what the Portland fans were saying is exactly what we should be saying. They were drooling over a Waiters-Lillard combo for the next decade and an inside presence like TT with potential/upside would be GOLD. “That would be SO CLEVELAND to do this trade” said a fan.
I used to be all for that kind of swap, but after hearing some of this, I’m glad it’s not gunna happen.
The fans were also saying that Waiters+Thompson added to the core of Lillard and Batum would vault them not playoff talks. Now, I think that’s a little premature in the West, it’s making me think that a Batum type player is what this team needs. Hello Otto Porter, no thanks Keresev.
Yeah, but looking back, that trade just seems like something that could never happen (except that it did…and it happened in Cleveland’s favor.)
All hope truly is not gone!
Porter makes sense at the top of the draft. Karesev makes sense in the middle of the draft (as long as you have a good defensive center behind him…like…Noel.)
don’t show him that trade. we cannot let him see it!
also, keep him away from the Baron Davis deal and, for goodness sakes, don’t let him go through Celtic history and find the Jiri Welsch deal.
maybe we should just keep him away from sharp objects?
yes, but this trade would be in the opposite direction. hopefully, Grant is learning from other GM’s mistakes 🙂
They are asking WAY too much for Aldridge. Essentially, 2 #4’s, a #1, and #19. Aldridge is very good, and I would love for the Cavs to get him. Aldridge and Irving?? Yes please.
But you start to do more harm than good when you give up half your team for him.
“So Cleveland”
B/c it’s not like the jailblazers and greg oden happened or anything. Kids these days…
Ben, that trade wouldn’t be comparable to a possible Aldridge trade. The Grizzlies desperately needed to dump salary, and the Cavs were the only takers. Aldridge wouldn’t be a straight salary dump.
“he has a similar skillset to Duncan”
Way too dangerous a statement for my taste.
And agree that is what likely Aldridge will end up being, a 17-19 PER guy. But that’s not really an all-star, which you’ll likely be paying him like one, and you’re giving up a lot of value in the draft.
Yeah, I would imagine some of those rumored discussions are the things Grant said “no” to.
I have yet to even say what I’d be willing to give up for him. Just that I like him as a player and I think he will age better than some fans seem to think.
I’m obviously not referring to whatever you specifically would give up, but the obvious base of the trade above.
This place is patently ridiculous when even the best posters are caught up in playing ‘gotcha’.
Would you have believed it at this point in time last year that the Cavs would pull that off?