There’s a new name visibly on the market ahead of the March 25 trade deadline — and it’s quite the big man. Center LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs have “mutually agreed” to part ways, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday.
The Spurs are shopping Aldridge on the market, who’s in the last year of his contract before hitting free agency. Aldridge, 35, is averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his 14th season in the league. While his prime is behind him, Aldridge used to be a household name and has a long history with the league.
Could the Celtics be interested?
Similar to former Piston and current Net Blake Griffin, Aldridge isn’t the same player he once was. He’s made seven All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams and his jumper has always been solid, but he’s taken a step back this season. The Spurs have been a relative surprise at 18-14 through the first half of the season, but they’re moving on from the aging big man.
Aldridge makes $24 million this season, meaning that would fit in the Celtics’ $28.5 million trade exception, the largest in league history. It’s unclear yet if Aldridge could be bought out, but the big man still holds some value, meaning the Spurs can get some assets in return.
In terms of fit, Aldridge would be exactly what Celtics president Danny Ainge has described wanting: a big man who can shoot. Aldrige was always consistent from the mid-range, but he’s been solid from 3-point range the past two seasons. He shot 38.9% on 3.0 attempts from 3 last year; that number is at 36% on 3.6 3-pointers per game this season.
The defensive concerns surrounding Aldridge are fair, too, whenever talking about fit. Aldridge missed eight of 11 games for the Spurs before the All-Star break as he was out because of hip and quadricep injuries.
It’s likely the Celtics would have to send out one of their big men, perhaps Daniel Theis or Tristan Thompson, in a trade as the team is currently loaded with guys who can play down low. Robert Williams III is the third option, but he seems to be solidifying his way to the center of the future.
Aldridge is just another potential target for the Celtics in the next two weeks ahead of the trade deadline. Boston is soon at full strength, with Marcus Smart making his way back Thursday and Romeo Langford nearing his return, but could use some roster upgrades sitting at 19-17 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
