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Pina: Possible Rockets Trade Package For Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge

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Michael Pina of Red94, a Houston Rockets blog, admits that he "desperately wants [Rockets GM] Daryl Morey to have his building block" and that Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge could be that player, after attempted trades for Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard fell through. In response to a column earlier this week that suggested the Blazers should consider trading Aldridge early, Pina writes that the Rockets could put together a trade package consisting of a large expiring contract, prospects and a valuable draft pick. --------------------------------- With Kevin Martin’s expiring deal serving as the necessary salary filler, Houston could throw in a two man combination of [Donatas] Motiejunas, [Jeremy] Lamb, [Royce] White, [Terrence] Jones, [JaJuan] Johnson, or [Marcus] Morris along with Toronto’s first round pick. What this would do is give the Trail Blazers a bit more cap flexibility for 2013-14, two talented prospects on rookie contracts, and a lottery pick to add to what could probably be one of their own (giving them the possibility of four total lottery picks in two years, which is pretty awesome). What Houston would be getting is exactly what they’ve wanted since Yao Ming’s retirement. While he isn’t a household name (for some reason), Aldridge is arguably one of the league’s 10 best players. Unlike Josh Smith or Rudy Gay, two players we’ve discussed time and again as being prospective All-Star candidates the Rockets might go after, the 27-year-old is talented enough to be the centerpiece on a championship team. --------------------------------- -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter