Perhaps indirectly accepting that LaMarcus Aldridge is as good as gone, the Portland Trailblazers are now looking at potential players to fill up the imminent void.
Aldridge is expected to be one of the sought after free agents in the offseason and it looks like the Blazers have started to explore other free agents to woo. Two names are at the top of the list but the thing is they are also expected to be hotly pursued. They are Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Monroe is someone who will be courted by multiple teams. The Lakers and the Knicks have expressed interest but so have other NBA teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers. With that bunch, the Blazers could encounter a rough time trying to lure in Monroe to the fold.
Another prospect is DeAndre Jordan. Though Jordan has expressed his interest in joining the Mavericks, it remains to be seen what kind of pitch the Blazers would have up their sleeve to lure in the Clipper center.
Jordan's case is similar to Monroe as he also expected to get multiple deal offers though the Clippers are expected to maximize all efforts to keep him.
Money will surely be a factor for Monroe and Jordan but an NBA title is another. Apparently this is one thing that Aldridge wants and the reason why he is looking to join another ballclub. Word has it that the Spurs are exhausting all means to snag the Blazer center/forward but so do other teams such as Milwaukee (Bucks) and Boston (Celtics).
The Blazers find themselves in a sort of rebuilding mode as well with reports that other players like Arron Afflalo and Nicolas Batum could be leaving as well. Robin Lopez is expected to stay but surely he cannot man the paint alone.
