Spurs Trading DeRozan to Heat, Aldridge To Blazers?
The San Antonio Spurs are preparing for an interesting offseason.
Following a disappointing campaign that saw the organization miss the playoffs for the first time in more than two decades, clearly changes need to be made.
More likely than not those changes will impact the two biggest names on San Antonio’s roster: DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge.
DeRozan has a $27.7 million player option that he will inevitably pick up this summer. The 31-year-old is a realistic and knows that there is no scenario where anyone pays him more than that.
The Mavericks have big plans for the offseason. https://t.co/PfxezrICXP
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 31, 2020
However, that does not necessarily prevent a potential trade from going down.
According to Jabari Young of CNBC, an agent informed him that there is a decent chance DeRozan gets shipped to the Miami Heat due to his relationship with the team’s star Jimmy Butler.
Nice update on the Spurs via Jabari. Notable tidbits include DeMar DeRozan leaning towards picking up his option, possible LMA or DDR trade and Popovich’s future.
San Antonio views the future ‘optimistically and opportunistically.’ https://t.co/lPSKIzWmDy
— Evan Closky (@EvanClosky) August 30, 2020
Miami brass has definitely indicated that plans are in place to pursue big time contributors in the offseason – but it remains to be seen if DeRozan still qualifies at this stage. At best he could be the third-best player on a championship contender, but he currently gets paid like a No. 1 guy. That will certainly be something for Pat Riley to mull over.
Aldridge, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade speculation ever since he arrived in Texas. To date, nothing has transpired. However, an agent told Young that a deal between San Antonio and the Portland Trail Blazers for the 35-year-old should not be ruled out.
Marcus Morris rubbed salt in the wound. https://t.co/QpSOcEk8QH
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 31, 2020
Apparently, Blazers star Damian Lillard and Aldridge are on good terms now – and Portland desperately needs additional offensive big man support.
San Antonio is currently stuck in a weird no-man’s land where the team is neither good enough to legitimately compete at the top of the Western Conference, nor bad enough for a full rebuild. Getting rid of DeRozan and Aldridge likely will not push them into the first group – but may help force them into the second one.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
