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Portland Trail Blazers Discussion: Is LaMarcus Aldridge the right fit?

By Aneesh Namburi

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 16: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks before the game on March 16, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 16: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks before the game on March 16, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers – Jusuf Nurkic and LaMarcus Aldridge (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers – Jusuf Nurkic and LaMarcus Aldridge (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Can he still play at a high level?

Although Aldridge has endeared himself to many Portland Trail Blazers fans, it’s the job of the front office to remove emotions from the decision-making process. Making a move for Aldridge can only be justifiable if he makes the team better. So that begs the question, can he still contribute at a high level for a contending team?

Carroll: Even at 33-years-old, Aldridge still proved to be a consistent contributor for a playoff team. He averaged 21.3 points and 9.2 rebounds (a third of which were offensive boards), en route to his seventh All-Star selection. He could be the third scoring option the Blazers have been searching for to pair next to Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Namburi: There is no question that Aldridge can be a high level contributor for a NBA team, potentially taking a team with the talent level of the Blazers over the top. Since entering the league, he has been one of the most efficient mid-range threats in the league, and that has continued in San Antonio. But for whatever reason, he has never been able to continue that effectiveness to the three point line. Whether that has been due to his lack of willingness or just not having the ability (based on his 2014-15 season, I’m guessing it is the former), I think his skillset, while still very good, fits on a select few teams. Do you agree, or do you have faith in his ability to shoot threes?

Carroll: Call me crazy, but I don’t necessarily think he has to be an elite 3-point shooting threat if he maintains his current level of production. Aldridge instead has opted to focus primarily on the too-often-forgotten mid-range game — and for good reason, he’s the best at it. Aldridge led all NBA players in 2-point field goals made last year, going against the grain of this new outlook on modern basketball. And if you’ll take the advanced analytics word for it, his shot selection is certainly not hurting his team. Over the last two years with the Spurs, Aldridge has achieved a 23.9 PER, a 2.0 Offensive Box Plus/Minus, and an above average 57.3 true shooting percentage (for a state that heavily favors 3-point shooting).

Namburi: I’m not saying that he is not going to maintain his status as a very good player. My issue is after years of Lillard and McCollum being hampered by poor three point shooting forwards, Aldridge has a chance to cramp the space, especially when Jusuf Nurkic is on the floor. I’m not saying that it will happen for sure, I just would not personally take the chance. After Neil Olshey worked so hard to surround the Portland backcourt with shooters, I just do not see him making a move that sort of reverses the other offseason moves. Just to make sure the Twitter people don’t misunderstand me, I would like to repeat that LaMarcus Aldridge is still a very good basketball player.