After losing LaMarcus Aldridge for the next few months, the Portland Trail Blazers have a gaping hole in their lineup. Losing an All-Star caliber player is never easy, but one who makes such an impact in the post on both sides of the court? Many times that’s enough to force a team into a panic trade, but not the Portland Trail Blazers.
That’s the word from Grantland’s Zach Lowe who says the loss of LaMarcus Aldridge will not force Portland into making a poor decision.
Olshey said Thursday that Aldridge’s injury would not force him into a panic trade for a big man — that Portland would still approach the trade deadline with its playoff rotation in mind, and not its immediate survival.
There’s no way the Blazers could replace Aldridge’s contributions on both ends of the floor in a trade, so attempting to find such on the open market is a waste of time. Perhaps they could snag a solid power forward (Jason Thompson of the Sacramento Kings? David West of the Indiana Pacers?) who is said to be available and not be a contractual hindrance, but neither is going to replicate what Aldridge can do for Portland.
Still, it sounds as if a trade is possible though it won’t be rushed simply because of the injury.
