NBA Trade Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge Claims Two All-Star Players Want To Transfer To Portland! Will They Force A Trade Before The Deadline?
The NBA Trade rumors will always invade the All-Star Game, simply because of its proximity to the trade deadline. Also, the convergence of All-Star players can lead to possible recruitment and connivance. Didn't Lebron admit that they forged the Big Three while playing in Team USA?
Now there is a claim by LaMarcus Aldridge. He said that a couple of players (of course, unnamed) have told him that they want to play with him and Lillard on the Trail Blazers.
That sounds very nice. Aldridge confesses to CSNNW.com:
"Definitely a few guys have told me that this weekend."
His teammate, Damian Lillard, was a little cautious about confirming anything: "I think winning and the type of people that we are will attract people. In that way, I guess we are recruiting but I haven't actively done so."
That makes a lot of sense. The idea that Carmelo is recruiting Rondo to join the Knicks is outright hilarious at this point, but Portland, sporting a 36-17 record which is 6th overall in the league and 3rd in the West (data from nba.com), is the ultimate "add one superstar to become a champion" team.
Damian Lillard reinforces the notion: "If you're serious about basketball, Portland is the place. I love it there. It's not a big city so it allows you to concentrate on your craft. Some people need the distractions of the nightlife but for me personally, it's the perfect place for me. I just work on my game. That's what I get paid to do."
Incidentally, this marks the first time that Portland has two All-Stars since 1994 when Cliff Robinson and Clyde Drexler represented Rip City.
How was it to have a fellow Blazer for change? Aldridge responds: "It felt good! I could tell he was having a really good time and just soaking it in. It's a big honor to be on the court with one of your teammates in this league. It's rare that two guys go."
What would he remember from attending these games? "Just the camaraderie with the other elite players. I'm kind of to myself, but I think this weekend I definitely reached out more and talked to guys more so that's good."
