Suns 5-On-5: Can Phoenix Steal Away LaMarcus Aldridge?

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Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) goes to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Do you feel the Suns have a legitimate pitch to make with LaMarcus Aldridge?

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet): I feel like the Suns have a legitimate pitch. The Suns probably represent the best balance for Aldridge between being the face of a franchise and being able to compete as his prime winds down. Part of why LMA is leaving Portland might be the Blazers’ favoring of Damian Lillard, which is exactly what would happen with Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio…not to mention Tim Duncan‘s shadow looming large over the organization.

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Aldridge would hands down be Phoenix’s best player and he’d have enough talent around him to make a postseason run or two. Unfortunately, I doubt Aldridge will see Phoenix’s pitch as legitimate compared to winning titles with the Spurs or joining a fancy big market team like the Lakers or Knicks.

Scott Chasen (@SChasenKU): Do they have a legitimate pitch? Sure. Do they have a chance of getting him? Probably not. I really feel like if Aldridge is going to leave, he will be headed to either a Texas team or the Lakers. One more thing to take into account: Aldridge is going to be 30 soon. If playing for a contender is at all a priority to him, I don’t think he’d drop everything to go play for a team that missed the playoffs last year, no matter the talent level. My guess is he goes to San Antonio.

Spencer Hann (@Spencer_hann): In any other year of free agency, absolutely. They can assure Aldridge of a max contract, amazing weather, good young talent and the opportunity to be THE man on the team. However, the Lakers, Spurs and Rockets (assuming they make the necessary cap-clearing trades) all have the financially ability to sign the power forward this offseason, automatically putting Phoenix back to at least fourth on his list of preferred destinations. They have a good pitch, but unfortunately it won’t be enough.

Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11): I mean, it doesn’t hurt to try. If Aldridge won’t re-sign with Portland, a team with a budding star in Damian Lillard and that has had success in the playoffs, then why would he come to a team such as the Suns with no star power? My best guess is a Texas team or the Lakers.

Mark Harris (@Harris_Mark7): Ask me a week ago and I’d say no chance, but it seems like Aldridge will at least give the Suns a chance. Don’t get me wrong, I really doubt that the L-Train will be donning a Suns jersey next season, but it does seem like they are in the conversation. As for a pitch, the Suns can boast their point guards and their above-average bench. It also looks like they have the cap room to be able to pay Aldridge.

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