Prize free agent LaMarcus Aldridge chooses the San Antonio Spurs

Aldridge was known to take two meetings with the Lakers and the Spurs, who brought Duncan, Leonard, Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford to the first one on Wednesday. One source said they made a point of apologizing to the 29-year-old Aldridge for not giving a more well-rounded presentation and thanking him for giving them a second chance. With their famed trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili aging, Buford and Popovich have deftly set up the long-term health of the franchise with several moves this summer.

In the end, however, Aldridge chose to take on a new challenge rather than continue his career with the Blazers. He can score off either shoulder; can score out to 19 feet. That is something that Aldridge went into free agency not wanting to do, as he wanted to remain at power forward.

CSNNW’s Jabari J. Young pens a lengthy piece on the other side of Aldridge’s decision.

San Antonio might be a juggernaut next season.

The Portland Trail Blazers are the only team hes played for in his National Basteball Association career, but that will soon change because he does not plan on returning to the team.

So there you have it. The pros and cons of what the Aldridge signing means and what else needs to get done for the Spurs to truly compete in the West and try to win another championship, before Duncan retires. “He and I are roughly the same age“, Holt said.

The Chicago Bulls and Jimmy Butler are finalizing a five-year, $95 million deal. If his health holds up, I know he doesn’t believe it, but I believe he’ll stay.

But after nine years in Portland, he hit the free agent market with many assuming he was headed elsewhere, and the Spurs pounced.

But he was traded to Dallas midway through the 2014-15 season and famously clashed with Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, leading to him missing the team’s final three playoff games. Portland is losing all continuity in its roster this offseason as well. It’s possible that the team might have to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Blazers to acquire Aldridge, or create a similar scenario with the Dallas Mavericks for Tyson Chandler.

Always known for his mid-range game, Aldridge started stepping out beyond the arc more often last season. After initially being ruled out six to eight weeks with expected surgery, Aldridge opted to play through the injury, missing only two games. He averaged 23.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG while being the heart and soul of a gritty Blazers team.