Rumor: Celtics Targeting LaMarcus Aldridge and Wes Matthews in Free Agency

Before you freak out—it’s just a rumor. And not a very good rumor at that.

CSN New England “insider” A. Sherrod Blakely said in a recent TV spot that he thinks there’s about a 35-40 percent chance that LaMarcus Aldridge lands in Boston as a free agent this summer. Why? Because he believes the Celtics are going to target both LMA and his fellow current Blazer Wes Matthews. It’s certainly an intriguing thought, just kinda crazy right?

As recapped by MassLive.com:

CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely believes the Boston Celtics could target a pair of Portland Trail Blazer free agents this summer, including star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

 

During an episode of Celtics Talk TV (below), Blakely said, “My understanding is the Celtics are going to be open to putting together some type of package deal where they would not only bring in LaMarcus Aldridge, they’d bring in one of his good friends by the name of Wes Matthews. Now, if you’re the Celtics and you can put together a deal to get those two guys in town, you’ve gotta do it.”

 

Though Aldridge was initially expected to stay in Portland, speculation he could leave grew over the second half of this season. By the end of the campaign, San Antonio and Dallas emerged in the rumor mill as two possible destinations.

 

Could the Celtics hop into the mix? They should at least gauge Aldridge’s willingness to bolt for New England. Team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has said he will chase “any and everybody” who would represent a talent upgrade, and Aldridge certainly qualifies there. The 29-year-old has made the All-Star team in each of the last four seasons. This year, he averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

 

Blakely was asked to place a percentage on the likelihood top free agents land in Boston. Asked about Aldridge, the reporter said, “I’m going to go high with this one. I think there’s a 35-40 percent chance that he’s going to come here.”