LaMarcus Aldridge trade odds: Heat, Trail Blazers, Celtics, Suns lead potential NBA landing spots for Spurs forward

It was always assumed that the San Antonio Spurs were going to trade seven-time All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge at some point this season because the 35-year-old is a free agent after the year and the Spurs are in transition mode to a younger roster. The team made it official Wednesday night that Aldridge would not take the floor again as a member of the Spurs as it works on a deal. SportsLine offers NBA odds on Aldridge's next team.

There are no hard feelings on either side as Aldridge has been the consummate professional in San Antonio and the Spurs are one of the most well-respected franchises in sports. Thus, the Spurs aren't going to send Aldridge, say, to Minnesota just to get the most value back.

"He's been a great teammate. There was no problem there. We just think this is a win-win for both LaMarcus and for the club. So, when an opportunity arises, that'll be up to management, his agent, you know, sort of thing. We'll all move forward," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday in a statement. "He's been a great teammate. He's done everything we've asked. And at this point, we'd just like to something that will work for him as much as for our club, because he deserves that."

While Aldridge is averaging just 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and the Spurs had a net rating of minus-5.6 with him on the court, there's little doubt he could help a contender.

That said, determining the favorites for Aldridge's next team is a bit tricky because if the Spurs can't find a suitable trade partner by the March 25 deadline, they will buy Aldridge out. Even though Aldridge has only about $8 million left on his contract, teams would have to come close to matching his $24 million season salary in any trade.

Aldridge would certainly be an upgrade as a stretch 4 on Miami, which could package together the expiring contracts of Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala and throw in a second-round pick sweetener. There already have been multiple reports that the Heat are interested – San Antonio might prefer to send Aldridge to the Eastern Conference because the Spurs could make the playoffs in the West.

Boston has a massive trade exception and could take on Aldridge's salary with no problem. Celtics GM Danny Ainge is on record saying he is considering adding "shooting with size" for the Celtics. Boston still would have to clear out around $5 million in salary to take on Aldridge because the team sits $19.6 million under the hard cap. There are some luxury tax concerns as well for the Celtics here.

No question that the best "story" would be Aldridge going back to Portland, where he spent his first nine seasons and was one of the most popular (and best) players in franchise history. The Blazers might have to get a third team involved, however, for financial/asset reasons.

How dangerous would Portland potentially be with Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Aldridge, Robert Covington, Jusuf Nurkic (when back healthy like McCollum) and Carmelo Anthony? Remember, Aldridge is going to have a say in this and he might prefer to go back to Portland, which is currently +3000 at William Hill Sportsbook to win the Western Conference.

Before signing with San Antonio as a free agent in the summer of 2015, Aldridge nearly signed with Phoenix, and the Suns surely will kick the tires on a potential trade. He could serve as a solid backup center to Deandre Ayton.

Would Aldridge like to return to his hometown of Dallas to play for the Mavericks? Seems unlikely that the Spurs would trade him to a division rival, but perhaps in the buyout market. The hard-capped Mavericks do not have a trade exception under the 2020-21 salary cap.

The Lakers could badly use Aldridge as Anthony Davis insurance, but the only way they can likely get him is through the buyout market. Ditto the LA Clippers, Philadelphia and Golden State. Never rule out Brooklyn, as it seems every star is now wanting to play there.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which will be LaMarcus Aldridge's next team?

• Heat +200
• Blazers +250
• Celtics +400
• Suns +500
• Lakers +600
• Mavericks +800
• Clippers +900
• Warriors +1000
• 76ers +1200
• Nets +1500

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