The San Antonio Spurs had plans of moving some player with the hope of making enough room to accommodate Portland Trailblazer LaMarcus Aldridge. However, that could all change soon with word that the long-time Blazer could be leaning more towards joining the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks have not been known to sign players to long-term deals. There are some exceptions like Dirk Nowitzki but there is no guarantee that Mark Cuban and the Cavs would be doing the same for Aldridge.
Being in the league for long, Aldridge is good but he is certainly no Nowitzki. Though the Mavs are bound to pitch at him, Aldridge could be looking at a two to three year deal on the table. Whatever the amount would be, it remains that the Blazers are still the team that can offer him the fat contract if he is looking to earn big bucks.
Aldridge is believed to be looking to play for a contender and the immediate prognosis is he can do so if he joins a proven championship team. The Spurs could be that team though they are filled with players who are nearing the end of their career (Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili).
With that in mind, Aldridge could be thinking twice despite being groomed as Tim Duncan's successor. Can he lead the Spurs alongside Kawhi Leonard or even Danny Green?
The Mavs don't offer a sure chance as well. Nowitzki is nearing the end of his career and the Mavs have been known to acquire and release players as fast as one can remember. But that could work to his advantage though.
With a short term deal with high pay, Aldridge could see if he does fit into the Mavs system and take it from there. A misfit would give him some more time to consider other teams though he doesn't necessarily have much time after that since he is about to reach 30 on July 19.
Should he sign with the Mavs, he could be there until he is 32 or 33 and still have some options to transfer though that could be his last stop. Anything is possible.
From that perspective, joining the Mavericks could be viable on a short-term basis. But again do remember, Aldridge wants an NBA title so he may be monitoring as well what the Mavs plan to do as far as building up its roster for next season.
