LaMarcus Aldridge (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could finally get a star this season, with the team in position to trade for San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Lakers are not expected to become contenders in the 2016-2017 regular season, although the team's core of young talents has the potential to give the franchise more wins this year. It would be interesting to see the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson grow together and develop into franchise players for Los Angeles.
However, the Lakers are not exactly known to thread such path. The 16-time NBA champs are impatient when it comes to getting back on winning titles and are unafraid to make blockbuster deals when presented an opportunity to acquire marquee players.
While it remains to be seen whether the Lakers would consider exploring the trade market this season, Gil Alcaraz IV of Hoops Habit believes there are realistic trade targets for the Purple and Gold, one of which includes San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
"It's clear they like what he brings to the table, but he doesn't appear to be a good fit in Texas. Coming to Los Angeles, however, might bring out the star we saw emerge with the Portland Trail Blazers," Alcaraz wrote.
"Obviously there's no guarantee Aldridge is even made available. However, if he is, you'd have to think the Lakers would be interested."
Aldridge would provide the Lakers an established All-Star, who can help speed up the team's rebuilding process. The 31-year-old forward also gives LA a scoring option inside the paint to help space the floor. But Aldridge's value for the Lakers isn't just on the court. Acquiring the veteran forward would give the Lakers a better chance to recruit the likes of Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Stephen Curry next summer.
However, trading for Aldridge would likely cost the Lakers one of their prized young talents. A trade package consisting of Julius Randle, Lou Williams and Nick Young could work under the NBA salary guidelines, although any potential deal would likely include draft picks or another young player down the rotation.
ESPN's Jacki MacMullan claimed that Aldridge may not finish the season as part of the Spurs, while Zach Lowe, also an NBA insider form ESPN, insisted trading the five-time All-Star could be an option if San Antonio's chemistry does not pan out. But as intriguing as it may sound that the Lakers have a real shot at finally acquiring Aldridge, it can only happen if the Spurs officially makes him available on the trading block.
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