Trail Blazers expert predicts what will happen when LaMarcus Aldridge returns

After nine seasons with the Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge is returning to Rip City for the first time in months – this time, in a Spurs uniform. Aldridge still may be the number one option on this Spurs team but their offense works in a way that everyone gets shots and they make the extra pass. Popovich said that right now he is just letting Aldridge play so he can possibly make adjustments later in the season. He left a fan favorite and it will be interesting to see how he is received.

Aldridge is aware that the crowd will be booing him in his return.

“Yeah, the things [Riley] said were definitely more positive for me coming to San Antonio”, Aldridge said. They were great to me, so a few people are going to be hurt about the move I made. It’ll be different for me, too, just seeing him on the opposing team. “That’s what they are supposed to do”.

His departure came in the same offseason the Trail Blazers (4-4) banked their future on Damian Lillard, who signed a five-year contract worth more than $120 million. The Trail Blazers took three of the four meetings last season behind 22.5 points and 12.8 rebounds from Aldridge.2.

The Trailblazers are 4-4 entering Wednesday while the Spurs are 5-2.

In Aldridge’s absence, new stars have emerged as well as CJ McCollum and Meyers Leonard have given valuable points for Portland as they are new options outside of Lillard.

The Spurs soon closed the deal with Aldridge after the Riley meeting.

Everyone expects his role to grow as the Spurs get closer to the playoffs though, as he is one of the best power forwards in the game and has a consistent mid-range shot that is near impossible to defend.