Free agent Aldridge reportedly rules out Lakers; Spurs, Rockets, Suns considered front-runners
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The LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes has been narrowed by one, according to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan.
LaMarcus Aldridge will not be joining the Lakers, The Times has learned. They were a 50-50 choice but he disliked bball part of presentation
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015
Reports emerged earlier on Wednesday that Aldridge wasn't impressed by his meeting with the Lakers, with Bresnahan adding that the free agent power forward "didn't quite gel" with Kobe Bryant, who attended the meeting.
Kobe spoke for about three minutes in the presentation, said he envisioned LaMarcus Aldridge working with him the same way Pau Gasol did.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015
This wouldn't be the first time that Bryant's dominant personality may have been a detriment to the Lakers in their free agent pitch to an All-Star big man.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that the Lakers' presentation focused too much on "outside opportunities" as opposed to basketball-related matters, while ESPN's Ramona Shelburne added that the Lakers were surprised by how poorly their presentation was received.
As for Aldridge's other suitors, the San Antonio Spurs reportedly remain the front-runners for the star power forward's services, although his agency clarified that he has yet to make an official decision and Aldridge's camp told TNT's David Aldridge that reports he's ruled out the Lakers are "completely false."
So far, the Spurs most impressed Aldridge, with Houston close behind Waiting on Suns word. Aldridge met with Blazers often, fond of Olshey.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015
In addition, the Phoenix Suns, who earlier on Wednesday agreed to a deal with Tyson Chandler, have reportedly emerged as a legitimate candidate to steal Aldridge from Portland, while the Trail Blazers themselves still can't be overlooked.
After his meeting with the Suns, Aldridge is reportedly set to convene with contingents from the Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks, and isn't expected to make a decision until at least Thursday.