Prized buyout market targets No. 1: LaMarcus Aldridge
The two biggest buyout market targets for all NBA teams looking in this market at this point in time are the aforementioned Drummond and the now former Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The 35-year-old former Texas Longhorn and seven-time All-Star selection Aldridge saw his production dip a bit this season.
But that doesn’t mean that a team like the Bulls that could use some frontcourt help post-deadline should completely ignore what he brings to the table.
Aldridge was bought out by the Spurs as he was in the final year of his current contract. The Spurs were not able to deal either the Dallas, TX, native Aldridge or the veteran star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan at the trade deadline. That meant that it was best for the Spurs to continue their youth movement and part ways with Aldridge.
There’s sure to be plenty of interest in the 6-foot-11 and 250 pound stretch power forward Aldridge given his plethora of postseason experience and still valuable skill set and efficiency. Aldridge was an All-Star selection as recently as last season. And he’s configured his game more to fit in the modern NBA, which could also help out Donovan and the Bulls down the stretch.
Aldridge is going to help out a playoff contender, and he might be taking his talents to the Eastern Conference for the first time in his career this year if he lands with a team like the Heat or Milwaukee Bucks. But he could be a nice fit in the frontcourt alongside Vucevic, Theis, fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen, and veteran forward Thaddeus Young, if he was signed off the buyout market.