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Could The Brooklyn Nets Strike A Deal For LaMarcus Aldridge?

By Mark Nilon

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 11: LaMarcus Aldridge
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 11: LaMarcus Aldridge /
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The Brooklyn Nets offseason thus far has been quiet interesting, to say the least. After finishing the 2016-2017 campaign with a league worst 20-62 record, you would assume the Nets have been opening up their checkbooks to try and entice anyone worth while on the free agent market to join their ball club. Only, this hasn’t been the case.

Since the start of Free Agency on July 1st, Brooklyn’s biggest signing has been Quincy Acy to a one year, $1.7 million contract. Other than that, and a $106 million offer sheet for Otto Porter Jr. which was eventually matched by Washington, the Nets have remained quiet on the open market.

This is not to say Brooklyn hasn’t been busy this offseason. To start off their summer moves, the Nets traded Brook Lopez (*sniffle) and their 27th overall pick in last months draft (Kyle Kuzma) for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. With the deal, the Nets added both youth and championship experience to their roster.

The trading extravaganza did not stop there, though.

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On July 8th the Nets struck again, trading away center Justin Hamilton for 3-and-D aficionado DeMarre Carroll and a lottery protected 1st round pick from Toronto.

Now, almost a month into free agency, pickings are slim in regards to available/ unsigned players.

Should the Brooklyn Nets stand pat and be comfortable with the current state of their roster? They could, and that would totally be ok!

MUST READ: Does The Brooklyn Nets Offseason End Here?

However, with the luck the Nets have had in the trade department so far, why not take another crack at it? Why not try and make one final move to better position themselves for more wins next season? The Nets would be wise to pick up the phone and calling one specific team in regards to one specific player.

That specific team; the San Antonio Spurs.

That specific player; LaMarcus Aldridge.

Yes, it is a fact LaMarcus Aldridge has not played up to his four-year $80 million dollar contract with the Spurs, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. He is only 2 years removed from being both an All-Star and the best player on a legitimate playoff contender with the Portland Trailblazers.

Even in an apparent “down year” Aldridge still managed to put up 17.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 APG and 1.2 BPG while shooting 47% from the field and an impressive 41% from 3-point land, according to ESPN. In comparison to the entire Nets roster last season Aldridge would have ranked within the top 3 in regards to 3-point percentage, points, rebounds and blocks per game. He’d easily be the best scoring option on the team now that Brook Lopez is gone.

Whats more enticing is the Spurs have been rumored to be dangling Aldridge all season long. As recent as last month, Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report reported the Spurs were “shopping” Aldridge for a top-5 pick in this years draft. As we all know, however, nothing transpired.

MUST READ: Spurs Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge On Trading Block?

So where do the Nets come in to all of this? Well, while the Nets do not posses any franchise altering players to offer, they do have young/ talented assets that could entice a basketball mastermind like Gregg Popovich to consider in a trade. Players like Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris are both youthful, talented prospects that a man like Popovich could find much use out of.

Throw in a solid veteran presence like Trevor Booker to add to a depleted front-court in San Antonio? Maybe top it off with a 2018 first round pick acquired from Toronto? Giving up picks is not a normal occurrence for the current Nets front office, but t could be a good call in an Aldridge deal.

The Nets don’t own the rights to their first round picks until 2019 anyway. Giving up one that could fall to the bottom of the first round isn’t too detrimental, especially if the Nets get Aldridge.

“But why would the Spurs ever do a trade like this?” – Anyone who’s reading this article.

Well, it’s a long shot. Why would they do a deal like this? The question is valid. However, crazier things have happened.

Take the Paul George to Oklahoma City trade for example. Teams had been calling the Pacers for months inquiring about George. We heard many reports that the squads asking price was simply too high, so nothing happened. Then, out of nowhere, OKC swooped in and sent a package of Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to Indiana for the top-10 player in Paul George. Now, if you look at that trade in comparison to a Spurs/ Nets deal, it doesn’t seem as outlandish.

MUST READ: Paul George To OKC Makes Them Serious Title Contenders

Aldridge is nowhere near Paul George in terms of talent, yet George was traded for essentially peanuts. It’s not outlandish to think the Nets could get a deal done with the Spurs for their estranged stretch-4. Difficult to accomplish? Yes, but not out of the question.

Sean Marks has done nothing but impress since taking over as General Manager in February of 2016. Is it so ridiculous to think he can work his magic one more time? Don’t sleep on the man Nets fans! Although an Aldridge trade appears unlikely, it’s not impossible. As previously stated, crazier things have happened!