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Brooklyn Nets sign LaMarcus Aldridge to add to embarrassment of riches

By Adam Weinrib

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 18: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 18: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Remember when we actually dared to examine what it’d mean for the Brooklyn Nets if the Boston Celtics added some much-needed bulk and nabbed LaMarcus Aldridge from the Spurs?

Remember when we were foolish enough to think that any team other than the Nets would ever add a player midseason? Ha, ha! How foolish, indeed!

Fresh off integrating Blake Griffin into their rotation, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving still absent and letting MVP James Harden run the show, the Nets decided to one-up the buyout market on Saturday afternoon.

Andre Drummond wants to head to the Celtics or Lakers? No problem; Brooklyn will simply pluck LaMarcus Aldridge off your hands.

The Brooklyn Nets have added LaMarcus Aldridge. Seriously.

Aldridge is now 35 and regressing on offense while remaining a defensive liability — but he’s come to the perfect place for such foolishness.

After all, the Brooklyn Nets have proven in recent weeks that they can outscore anyone and everyone — and oh, by the way, their defensive ratings are steadily ticking up, too, thanks to tenacious play from ancillary pieces like Bruce Brown.

His averages of 13.7 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game won’t impress anyone, but it’s not about his bulk contributions at this point. It’s not even really about the steadiness of his output.

Would the Nets welcome a brief Aldridge burst off the bench from mid-range to steady the ship when the stars check out? Sure. But really, this addition is just to once again prove that the current Nets can add anyone they want.

Somehow, LeBron James’ Lakers have not become the ring-chasing destination they likely thought they’d be when Anthony Davis joined up. That roster is filled mostly with niche veterans instead of fading and massive names.

In just one transformative year, Brooklyn has become the foremost destination for late-career marquee reclamation projects (or transparent ring collecting). And you know what? Not bad. Ring chasers only join presumptive favorites, after all.