Shelburne: Blazers, Clippers Discussed Possibility Of LaMarcus Aldridge Trade

Ramona ShelburneofESPNLA.comreports on Twitterthat the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers discussed a trade involving All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge but that the talks didn't progress.

Clippers did get a call about LaMarcus, too, but as one person put it, "where's the fit?"

Update:John CanzanoofThe Oregonianreports...

An NBA source told me that the Blazers have made multiple trade inquiries, including one with the Clippers regarding Aldridge. Makes sense, given Olshey's connections there. So it appears that they're testing Aldridge's value in the same way they tested Brandon Roy's value before giving him that max deal. I like this, obviously. But you don't trade Aldridge now unless someone knocks you over with an offer.

Don't worry --- I don't think Paul Allen is going to give Aldridge away. He's been burned too many times before in trades. It would have to be a sweetheart deal, even lopsided, for him to pull the trigger with two years remaining on Aldridge's contract. The caveat, of course, is the notion that Aldridge may have already told the Blazers he wants out.

A Blazers spokesperson told Blazersedge on Wednesday that GM Neil Olshey -- who has been in his annual media blackout for pre-draft preparations -- was "unavailable for comment" regarding Aldridge trade rumors and reports.

Earlier Wednesday, multiple reports indicated that the Blazers and Clippers had discussed a trade involving Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.

A report on Wednesdayindicated that Aldridge has interest in playing for the Chicago Bulls.

Chad FordofESPN.comalsoreported Wednesdaythat there is a "solid chance" Aldridge is traded this summer.

Earlier this week, Aldridge's name was put out there asa possible candidatefor a draft week trade.

Back in May, there was some chatter that Aldridge might be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 1 pick.

Also in May, Aldridge offered this assessment of his standing with the Blazers.

LA: You know, as of now I'm here and we have a great team. I'm here now and we have a team that can definitely get better next year and we have cap room so we can bring in players. So I'm definitely here, and we'll see what happens.

During his April exit interview, Aldridge suggested it could take two years for the Blazers toreturn to the playoffs.

这支球队走向哪里吗: "This year was a down year. I think it was better than what people thought it would be, it ended bad. I think if we add one or two pieces this summer and we have one OK season, I feel like that following season we should be good, really good."

...

Timeline for improvement:“我认为仅仅进入季后赛并不是很好. I've done that. I think one year of maybe, barely getting in or not getting in, and that next year we should be able to really be serious about it."

Here was Blazers GM Neil Olshey'sresponse to Aldridge's exit interview comments.

I don't think you can speculate today because I don't know what free agency is going to bring, I don't know what the draft is going to bring, I don't know what trades are going to bring. But I know we're going to do everything we can to build the roster. To sit here and put an artificial expectation on what a roster may or may not be when you only have eight returning players and you haven't drafted yet or gone into free agency doesn't make a lot of sense.

But I do know from L.A.'s perspective, we talked, and he knows we're going to be aggressive in building the roster. I'd like to think the improvement from the guys who are already here on top of the guys we're going to bring in will make us a factor faster rather than later.

Aldridge, 27, is under contract through the 2014-15 season.

PS Thanks toCallesyesandInstigator4Lifeinthe FanShots.

PPS也多亏了anitachamphionshipinthe FanShots.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter