Despite rumors swirling that LaMarcus Aldridge might be on the trading block, Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey has no interest in trading the All-Star power forward, according to Jason Quick of The Oregonian.
Blazers not interested in trading LaMarcus Aldridge, says GM
The All-Star power forward’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors, but he’s not going anywhere, according to Blazers’ GM Neil Olshey.
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Aldridge is a part of a talented young nucleus for the Blazers that includes Nicolas Batum, Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews, and Olshey intends to keep that core group together and build around it. And he plans to do that via the draft and free agency rather than making mid-season trades.
“The players on our roster who are no-brainers,” Olshey said, referring to that [nucleus], “are not going anywhere.”
Olshey has reportedly not made any calls about Aldridge, but has fielded a call from a team exploring the possibility of the 27-year-old being moved. And Olshey reiterated that it’s not a possibility.
“Until you get enough phone calls for the message to get around the league that we are not breaking this up to rebuild, that we are building from where we are, (rumors) will probably still be out there,” Olshey said. “But clearly, trading a 27-year old All-Star like LaMarcus doesn’t get you better today.”
In 25 games for the Blazers this season, Aldridge is putting up similar numbers to those that earned him a spot on the Western Conference All-Star roster last season. The six-year pro is averaging 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He averaged 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in 2011-12.
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