The Portland Trail Blazers feel comfortable that pending free agent LaMarcus Aldridge will sign an extension with the team in the summer but with so many different teams in dire need of a star big man and willing to do whatever it takes to acquire his services, it is very important to consider the alternative. And while all the parties are saying the right things, it was a little bit surprising to see that Aldridge flew back home to Portland separate from the team after the Game 2 loss to Memphis. Food for thought?
Basketball fans in Portland won’t feel comfortable until Aldridge puts pen to paper but since he hasn’t yet, we will take the time to look at which players on the roster would benefit the most from a fantasy perspective if he leaves town.
C: Meyers Leonard
Leonard is under contract for at least two more years and while he posted modest averages during the regular season when he didn’t get many opportunities coming off the bench behind Robin Lopez, he has had his moments early on in these playoffs and could be ready for a major increase in playing time should Aldridge leave. Leonard showed management what he could do in 35 minutes off the bench for Portland on Monday when he scored 13 points including three three-point shots with 13 rebounds, four blocks and two assists to help the Trail Blazers avoid a sweep with a 99-92 win in Game 4. Leonard still has plenty of room to grow as a player. Remember, he’s just 23-years-old. His size at 7’1, 245 pounds as well as his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability make him an interesting prospect whose fantasy value could improve.
SG: C.J. McCollum
Portland will need somebody to step up and help replace some of the production lost with Aldridge’s potential departure and while Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum are next in line on the Trail Blazers scoring list, McCollum has stepped up this postseason. The former first-round pick struggled in his rookie season as he was set back with a broken foot and minutes have been limited in his second season. But with Wesley Matthews out, he has gotten his opportunity. That role could grow if Aldridge leaves. The former Lehigh man can do a bit of everything but scoring is the name of his game right now. He looks like he could be a player on the rise even if Aldridge returns but he’ll be even more valuable if not.
PG: Damian Lillard
Lillard’s ascent in the Trail Blazers’ fantasy hierarchy would get another definite push if Aldridge leaves and while his value could only improve so much from where it is now, the additional responsibility for at least the first season without his current star teammate would call for him to shoulder an even bigger offensive burden. Lillard averaged 21.5 points and 5.0 assists this season so it wouldn’t be a major shock if both totals rose without Aldridge to the point where he averaged around 24.5 points and 7.0 assists. In many respects, some might say that Aldridge helps open things up for him, which is true, but balance is more important in real-life wins and losses. In fantasy, we’d rather Lillard have the ball all 48 minutes and nobody get in his way.
C: Chris Kaman
Lopez is also set to become a free agent, so that leaves Kaman as the most likely player on the roster to come off the bench for Leonard and play key minutes as a reserve. Kaman averaged just 4.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game off the bench this year but he could see more minutes next season. We’ve seen what he’s capable of if he has a greater role. No Lopez and no Aldridge means more opportunities from a fantasy perspective for him.
