LaMarcus Aldridge to meet with the Toronto Raptors

This is going to be an exciting summer for Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri and company. The team is coming off a franchise best 49-win season, but Ujiri is still set on making major roster changes. His boldness is not without cause. At this point, the Raptors have a chance to set themselves up for something truly special next year.

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The team already has a powerful nucleus in Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas. This summer, Ujiri has the money at his disposal to add a few more key pieces. He will need to fill many roster holes, but he also has the chance to swing for the fences with an elite baller.

It is for this reason that Ujiri and personnel will meet with unrestricted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge to try to convince the star to come to Canada. Aldridge is arguably the league’s best power forward. If he was a Raptor, the team would instantly become a threat to win the Eastern Conference.

Almost every source indicates Aldridge is leaning towards the Los Angeles Lakers, but the very fact that he is travelling to Toronto means he is trying to keep his mind open. This may be the first time in the team’s 20-year history that they have a real case to make for swaying an All-Star to come to town via free agency.

Season	G	MP	FG%	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	BLK	PTS
2014-15 ★	71	35.4	.466	5.1	.845	2.5	7.7	10.2	1.0	23.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Aldridge would be able to become the Raptors’ go-to star, but he would still be surrounded by a cast of talented players. He would get his chances to score, but he wouldn’t have to do everything himself.

In a few years, JV and Aldridge could be the most dynamic big man duo in the league. Aldridge can spread the floor and JV can play in the paint. They would create opportunities for each other by being effective individually. Aldridge would also get to flex his pick-and-roll muscles with Lowry, who has no problem playing the role of selfless passer. Finally, DeRozan can take a lot of the scoring pressure off of Aldridge’s allowing the big guy to play his game comfortably.

If Aldridge wants to play for a winner, he can do that in Toronto. The Raptors would be good. Like, really, really good. Aldridge can essentially do everything they have been missing. He is a talented defender who can grab rebounds, score from anywhere within the arc and who is willing to leave everything in the court. He would effectively complete the roster.

This is a player Ujiri needs to go all-out to sign. It may not be possible, but if Aldridge were to become a Raptor, fans would finally be fully rewarded for years of standing by mediocre teams. He would make the Raptors better defensively and offensively, becoming an instant fan favourite in the process.

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