Is LaMarcus Aldridge Worth the #1 Pick?
Rose for Aldridge?Though reports have John Paxson supposedly set in stone taking Michael Beasley first overall, he has also said that he’s open to hearing trade proposals for the Bulls’ top selection. With that proclamation, the rumors started flooding in to ESPN’s Chad Ford. The first one? The Blazers were willing to ship LaMarcus Aldridge to the Bulls for the chance to nab Derrick Rose.
Ford’s source in Portland denied that they made an offer, but even so this still remains an interesting possibility – if Portland included more than just Aldridge. There’s no way that Chicago even considers a deal unless it’s significantly sweetened.
“Still, the deal would’ve been interesting,” writes Ford. “Aldridge would be a good fit on the Bulls. But the irony of the whole thing would be thick. The Bulls traded the draft rights to Aldridge to the Blazers for the draft rights of Tyrus Thomas. Trading back for Aldridge would be tantamount to admitting they made the wrong choice two years ago.”
But on Chicago’s side of the deal, would they pull the trigger on a deal to land Aldridge if they had to give up the top pick?
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May 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
hahns says:
hell no. tahts pretty much trading beasly for aldridge. and for a 6’11 guy that is allergic to rebounding, like curry, beasley is a no brainer over him. include portland’s draft pick this year and MAYBE….
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
G says:
key phrase here “significantly sweetened”
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Travis Outlawz says:
Maaan if I was J-Pax, I’d land Alridge in Chi-town only if D-Miles is included in the package. And I would get rid of Larry Hugues and his sick contract by shipping him to Portland.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Scott says:
Personally, I believe that the upside of Rose and Beasley is too great to move for anyone in the L aside from a superstar.
Plus, no one, ESPECIALLY John Paxson wants to be the guy who traded away the rights to either Beasley or Rose.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
GEE...I'll take a muscle-bound man and put his face in the sand. says:
Aldrige was a big reason Portland did as good as they did this year to begin with. Regardless of his lack of D or rebounding the boy gives you close to if not 20 points on a regular.
I don’t see why Portland won’t just keep what they have. They have a great squad and with Oden playing center and moving LaMarcus it should be even sweeter.
But shiiiiiiiiii* if you trading LaMarcus, please Houston give up your trade and get dude quickly. Of course that is to much like common sense.
I don’t think LaMarcus is worth a number 1 pick though, that is crazy considering who the top 2 are.
Portland just keep what you got and roll pimpin dang.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
PALakerFan says:
That brings up an interesting topic. If you’re the Bulls, who WOULD you trade the #1 pick for, straight up, no salary cap implications or throw in guys?
Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Oden, Bynum, Howard, Paul, Deron, Bosh, Amare, Durant, and maybe Melo. Maybe Dirk.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
rangerjohn says:
see the thing is aldridge will not have to rebound when oden gets there and beasley and oden will be competing with each other to much i think.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
hahns says:
i totally agree w/ gee. i dont know why they’re trying to mix up their roster so much. even when they were in the mix for jason kidd last year at the trading deadline it didnt make sense to me. im not a big fan of travis outlaw to be honest though…i think hes expendable
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Bring Lil' Penny back says:
Portland doesn’t need that #1 pick… I mean, not so badly as Mike d’Antoni and the Knicks did need it. LOL
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Celts Fan says:
Unless the plan’s to start Josh McRoberts or Channing Frye at the 4, I just don’t get this.
The starting lineup next year as of right now:
1. Jarret Jack/Steve Blake/Sergio Rodriguez eventually???
2. Brandon Roy
3. Travis Outlaw/Martell Webster
4. LaMarcus Aldridge
5. Greg Oden
The probably starting lineup if they make this trade:
1. Rose
2. Roy
3. Outlaw/Webster
4. Channing Frye
5. Greg Oden
I LOVE pgs and think Rose will be a great one, but the low post combo of Oden and Aldridge should be running shit and the Blazers would definitely ahve to give up more than just Aldridge (you’d think Martell Webster and one of the PGs too). I don’t know that I’d give up on that before you even get a chance to see it and I think the lineup as it stands now is better. As good as they’re sure to be, they should be able to sign a PG or find one in the draft instead of giving up a lot of the talent they’ve accumulated (not to mention Brandon Roy can fill in at the 1 and you can play Outlaw and Webster with him and Sergio Rodriguez is coming over this year, is a PG that would’ve been a lottery pick had he waited til this year’s draft, and they’ve seen NOTHING from him over here yet.)
just my thoughts, but I think they should hold tight…
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
alex says:
Frye is good enough to start for Portland. I think it would be a good trade for both teams, but I’d agree the bulls should look at this as an opportunity to get rid of Hughes’ contract.
Come to think of it though, what the Bulls really need is a veteran leader. If they get Aldrige, that’s another young guy to manage along with Thomas and Noah.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
DaPro says:
What????????????
Hell no Chi town, keep the #1. Aldrige is nice but if I not worth Beas or Rose.
Damn see we about to f#&^ already.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
That would be a silly trade unless the bulls make the trailblazers take contracts they don’t want also, to free cap space for a free agent they desire. If they made the Blazers take hughes (too injury prone), also, the deal may be worth it. They could resign deng and Gordon, (Not at the max though). Then go for a center In the free agent pool. The only fre agent worth signing that’s a big man is Emeka okafor. (He’s to injury prone). So my next proposal would be a 3 way trade to acquire a viable big man, Diop will be a free agen t also? So there are many options, but I would definitely solve the big man issue if I gave up my No.1 draft pick.
If Portland used that pick to acquire Rose, I would say they were STUPID. I know outlaw shined this year, but forget that. Beasley would give you the MOST dangerous froncourt in the west. ROY, BEASLY and ODEN, Com’n, they would wreck shop. Lefreantz and Miles contracts would come off the books just in time for them to resign all three to? I’m salivating! LOL!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Kobeef says:
@ PA LakerFan
If I were paxson I’d take one of the following for Beasley/Rose
- Oden
- Amare
- Dwight
- CP3
- Lebron
- Kobe
- Bosh
Other than that, I think you are under-selling your #1 pick. You can make the case the Beasley or Rose will be superstars and it is hard to know otherwise.
Beasley is a ticket seller which adds to the superstar value (people aren’t lining up to pay to see Aldridge)
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
rangerjohn says:
chuck miles contract is already coming off the books, he was told by doctors his injury is “career ending” and unless he where to sign with another team willing to take the chance, he is done and hte blaze dont have to pay him anything. if he where to sign with another team then he gets paid twice, portland and the new team.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
rangerjohn says:
@ kobeef
wow the kid has not even played a single game in the nba and you put his worth up there with that crowd? (oden needs not be in that crowd either)thats crazy talk.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
DrunkPTownLegend says:
From somebody that’s watched nearly every blazer game last year……..Aldridge is going to be something!! Only the last month or so of the season did Aldridge really show what he is capable of being, which is the whole package…..Scoring, rebounding, defense, passing. A lot of insiders who are close to the team think that he’ll end up being the best out of him, roy, and oden. So I’d think most people who know our team wouldn’t make the trade straight up, as wonderful as a line up with rose would be. But what other team in the league has a dominant center and power forward….None since Robinson and Duncan.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
heavy d says:
It’s hard to let a #1 go because it is a stars’ league, but if Portland blew their socks off with an offer of Aldridge/Rodriguez/#13 pick for the #1? Maybe Paxson deals.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
DaPro says:
Oden will be a game chaning defensive center with a decent offesive game a la Bill Russell. Pair him with a scoring big like Aldrigde and you’ve got something. Keep that lineup the way it is.
As for Chi-Town, Keep the pick. I would only trade a number one pick if a) no franchise player was available b) none of best players fit an immediate need
Both players fill the void for several times
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
shake&bake says:
Damn, being from Chicago, I’m praying the Bulls take Rose. I love Beasley too but I think Rose will make Ty Thomas and Noah a lot better, similar to CP3 and Chandler. I’m not saying Rose is as good as Paul right now, but Rose will be a stud and he is a major step up from Hinrich.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
hardybyz says:
DrunkPtown Legend–
You said no one since David Robinson and Tim Duncan has had a dominant center and PF together. I don’t get your statement. GO has yet to play a single NBA game and its a lot faster and more complicated than college ball is. So we will see how he does against the other top centers of the L. Also I think you are fogetting a young center in LA Andrew Bynum. When he comes back this next season LA will have AB and Pau how is that not a dominate front court? Also when you add LO to the mix at the three LA will have a front court with 3 guys who are 6’10 or taller.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
DaPro says:
shake&bake-that’s how most of us feel fam. Chi town is calling 4 Rose
Most of the city wants Rose. B-easy is legit no question and damn you can’t go wrong but as I said the last 400+++ post,draft Rose #1.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Celts Fan says:
the Bulls don’t need to go get a center (I like Noah as an Alonzo Mourning/Dikembe Mutumbo/Marcus Camby type) That’s a PERFECT fit next to Beasley, who can handle the offensive load. It’s almost like what Portland would be breaking up w/ Oden and Aldridge, only obviously Oden’s better than Noah (if he can come back healthy) and Beasley should be better than Aldridge.
and people bought tickets to see Beasley play IN COLLEGE. To hoop-heads like us, we’d pay to see him, I don’t know if he’s quite captured the imagination (and ticket $$$) of the general public like Oden and Durant did last year…
I think BOTH teams would end up regretting this deal. Just stand pat guys, you’re both in great shape…
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@Celts fan
You may have a point? My only gripe is Noah’s size. He’s 6’11 and 232 and that’s more power forward size, I mean even some of the powerforwards on the smaller side, think Elton Brand, 6’8 275, have more weight and will bully Noah on the inside. Noah doesn’t have the strength or length of a Mutombo/Camby. Mutombo is like 7’2, 245, so he’s significantly longer and bigger than Noah, and Camby also. I just don’t think Noah has the size or tenacity to replicate a Camby or Mutumbo. He’s not a significant contributor on the offensive end or defensive end, I think he’s more of a contributor coming off the bench, just like Gordon.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Bigdoggchad says:
@ celts fan I think you meant Rudy Fernandez not Sergio Rodriguez
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
stephen stepp from louisa ky says:
This rumor is retarded.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Celts Fan says:
could be true Chuck, but he DEFINITELY has the tenacity, and I’m assuming he’ll put on another 10-15 pounds of muscle (remember, KG’s thin as hell too and is really strong, so appearances can be deceiving) but you have a point. Still, he blocks shots and gets boards. Put that next to a good low post scorer who’ll draw double teams and, theoretically should be able to find him for open dunks, and that’s a solid good tandem.
ya, you’re right Bigdog, didn’t look it up, and I guess I remembered the name wrong…
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Kobeef says:
@Ranger
I’m not sure B’easy or Rose will be in that class of players but when you have a #1 pick you have to play your cards right. You can’t go out there and start entertaining trades for guys like Z-bo or people will know they can get the pick without giving up the farm.
You have to stick to the line that your #1 pick is a boni-fide superstar.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
GEE...I'll take a muscle-bound man and put his face in the sand. says:
I am glad LaMarcus is getting this type of look though. He deserves it. He is always under the radar of what other bigs are doing or not doing. He just goes about giving 15 to 20 per game. No dramatics, no off court troubles just playing.
Hopefully he will realize the importance of rebounds and more D as time goes on.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Celts Fan says:
unfortunately GEE, you can also add no rebounding to that list (which makes him an even more perfect fit next to Oden, who, when healthy, should own the boards.)
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Brown says:
I’m with Celts Fan. Portland should be able to nab a PG in the draft, even though they already have some young guys at that position. They could package that pick with one of their PGs to get a better PG.
There’s no way I deal away that #1 pick, NO WAY. Nobody’s going to offer Chicago a superstar who isn’t on the downside of his career, and how can you pass up drafting a franchise cornerstone? Especially when you do have some decent talent on your roster already. Yeah, the Bulls might not have the right mix of players, but they have some assets other teams might be interested in. Who is their franchise player right now? Oh yeah, nobody! Their best players all had down years and have big time question marks next to their names. You don’t pass up a franchise player to build around when you’re in that position.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
Yeah this deal better not go down and the Bulls were stupid for trading Aldrige in the First place also to answer the title Aldridge went second so I think he is worth #1 just not when it means the heat lose D Rose
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Jeffrey says:
Didn’t the bulls draft Aldridge before trading him
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Rob says:
You guys have got to be kidding me….
Aldridge can’t TOUCH Rose or Beasley, a deal like this would be like taking candy from a baby…that’s stealing, that’s a crime. For Chicago to even CONSIDER a deal involving this year’s #1 Brandon Roy would HAVE to be included in the discussions.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:05 am
Cammy Z says:
If I were the Blazers I’d offer anybody the Bulls’ want other than Roy and Oden. The rest (so long as you can hold on to a couple of those role players) are replaceable.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Kevin says:
Why would Portland want to even consider trading to nab either Beasley or Rose? They are in a very good posistion to be a dominant team once everyone is on the same page and healthy (A two-man tandem of Aldridge and Oden is a scary thought for any team to contend with especially when bringing it inside! Combine that with some smart draft picks (Roy) and you have a team that with a few tweaks here and their could be a bonafide threat every year in the Western Conference.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
NBA Blazer #7 says:
I don’t think alot of people have seen Aldridge play becuase he is in Portland and he is on the west coast. This guy can flat out play!. His shooting almost extends to the 3 point line. Once he develops a better in and out game he will be almost EXACTLY like Rasheed Wallace just with a better attitude and much faster running the floor. Once Oden comes back next year and Aldridge is paired with him. They will be unstopable. It will be just like what the Suns tried to pull off with the Shaq trade. LaMarcus may not be as much of a force as Amare but its the same concept. Oden is much faster and younger than O’Neal so look for Portland to own next year!!!.
PG.) DG Augistine, Steve Blake (Jack will get traded)
SG.) Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez
SF.) Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster
PF.) LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye
C.) Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla
May 24th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
doc says:
Whoever dont get Rose is a asshole.And PAL they wouldnt trade Gorden and Deng for Kobe so you know they wouldnt trade the 1rst pick for him.