National Basketball Association

Trade Rumor: LaMarcus Aldridge Available: Should Phoenix Suns Call?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) dribbles the ball as Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) defends during the first quarter of the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports

LaMarcus Aldridge may be on the market and the Phoenix Suns have already been rumored as a possible suitor.

Where have we heard that before?

The origin of the most recent LaMarcus Aldridge trade rumors are Jackie MacMullan’s comments on CSSNE.com, available here.

Jabari Young of the San Antonio-Express News then noted that the Phoenix Suns could be a possible suitor once again. Throw in a Paul Coro retweet, and we have LaMarcus Aldridge to Phoenix round two.

Suns fans will undoubtedly recall that in 2015 Aldridge decided to leave the Portland Trailblazers in part because he was no longer the face of the franchise.

More from Valley of the Suns

The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs quickly jumped into the race for Aldridge, and he reportedly narrowed his decision down to those two teams.

Aldridge chose San Antonio, but it was widely known that the Suns were a very close second.

Young discusses how Aldridge was promised by the Spurs he would be the number one option and the face of the franchise, the very thing he was seeking when he left Portland.

In Aldridge’s eyes, this has not been the case with the Spurs, as the team leans heavily on Kawhi Leonard. Thus, he has been rumored to have requested to be traded to a team where he is the true number one.

It seems reasonable that the Suns would be high on Aldridge’s list once again. The Suns were close to signing him before, he is very close with head coach Earl Watson, and the Suns still have Tyson Chandler who was originally signed to help entice Aldridge to choose Phoenix.

However, one dramatic thing is different than before: Devin Booker.

Oct 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) brings the ball up-court against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

In their 2015 courtship of Aldridge, the Phoenix Suns did not have a face to the franchise, fulfilling Aldridge’s wish.

Now, Devin Booker has emerged as a potential future superstar. That is something Aldridge is undoubtedly aware of – and may be a deal-breaker.

One thing is for sure, any possible package for Aldridge would absolutely not include Booker. Therefore the Suns would have to re-sell Phoenix to Aldridge, this time with Booker on the roster.

Even if Devin Booker would be willing to take a sidekick role to entice Aldridge to the Suns, jersey sales and fan admiration of Booker may still keep him as the face of the franchise moving forward. Booker’s star power may be too much to stop.

Also, just because Aldridge may want out, do not look for the Spurs to sell low on him – especially to the Suns. San Antonio is one of the best run franchises in the league and speculation of player discontent is rarely heard. Although this situation may be one that the Spurs are not accustomed to, they are very likely in complete control.

Aldridge was not the center of attention last season and they still won 67 games. In the end, San Antonio may very well stick with Aldridge even in the face of his unhappiness, and hope that winning wipes him of his wish to leave.

Should the Suns make a push to bring Aldridge in? Leave your comments below!

Where did Mayor Greg Stanton put that giant Aldridge in a Suns uniform banner anyway?

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