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Warriors should have interest in former All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge

By Nathan Beighle

Jan 21, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge (21) thanks the San Antonio crowd during a tribute before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge (21) thanks the San Antonio crowd during a tribute before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are many notable names still on the board for the Warriors. Free agency hasn’t been kind for the Dubs so far this offseason.

They signed former Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo to a two-year deal. Adding a former champion is always something to shine some light on. However, they also lost notable pieces in Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II.

The Golden State Warriors need that stretch-four player after losing Otto Porter Jr., and LaMarcus Aldridge is a name to keep an eye on.

Payton II signed with the Trail Blazers while Porter Jr. took his talents to Canada, inking a two-year deal with the Raptors. A lesser talked about departure, that of Nemanja Bjelica, will also be impactful.

The biggest thing the Warriors lost was a stretch-four skill set for their small-ball linups. Bjelica and Porter Jr. were both key to that type of playstyle with the latter even starting several NBA Finals games.

One name that could help replace that type of player is LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge played just 26 games during the 2020-2021 season as his career was thought to be over with a heart condition. With a strong back-to-the-basket game, he returned to the court last season after getting the clearance.

He played with the Nets and was a strong contributor for the Kevin Durant-led side. Aldridge shot a career-high 55% from the field last season, averaging 12.9 points per game. A seven-time All-Star, Aldridge stands 6-foot-11 as well.

While he’s not typically been known as a dominant rim protector, he does offer enough size to help mitigate that flaw. Having shot 32% from deep over his career, Aldridge will at least offer some floor spacing, although he’s certainly not a high-volume three-point shooter.

The former Blazers and Spurs star forward should be a ring-chaser as well as he’s been to the playoffs over half a dozen times and still doesn’t have a championship to his name. The Dubs should be a hotspot for stars ready to win a title.

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The shooting, efficiency, and size make Aldridge an ideal addition for Golden State.

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