If the San Antonio Spurs are the favorite to land free agent All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, it’s not evident by the itinerary of the Portland Trail Blazers’ big man.
Aldridge, one of the most coveted players in the 2015 free agent class, is scheduled to visit with officials from the Los Angeles Lakers and then the Houston Rockets starting Tuesday night. Free agency begins at 9:01 p.m. PT.
The Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are also confirmed participants in the Aldridge Sweepstakes.
San Antonio’s chances to sign Aldridge, who is from Dallas and went to the University of Texas, could increase if Memphis center Marc Gasol re-signs with the Memphis Grizzlies as expected. The Spurs are also negotiating with restricted free agent Kawhi Leonard, who is thought to be the primary offseason priority for the franchise.
The New York Knicks are the last stop on Aldridge’s free-agent tour, if he makes it that far, on Thursday.
Aldridge is widely expected to leave Portland, who acquired him via trade from the Bulls on the night Chicago drafted him second overall in the 2006 draft. The Bulls received LSU forward Tyrus Thomas in return.
Aldridge averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 2014-15 with the Blazers, who can offer Aldridge a max contract of $110 million over five years.