NBA All-Star Damian Lillard said that if LaMarcus Aldridge hadn’t left the Portland Trail Blazers for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015, they would have won at least one NBA championship together. Lillard mentioned that Aldridge’s presence and skill level were crucial, and he believed that with more time, they could have achieved great success.
Appearing on the Podcast Club 52O With Jeff Teague, Lillard said he was haunted by the thought that he and Aldridge would have won the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“One thing I think about in my career is if he never went to San Antonio, we would have won at least once,” Lillard said. “Because I could have flourished, but he was that good.”
Lillard pointed out how their pick-and-roll game was particularly effective, with defenses often focusing on Aldridge, which opened up opportunities for him.
The Miami Heat won the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2012 and 2013 and the Spurs won the championship in 2014 — all while Lillard and Aldridge were playing together in Portland.
LaMarcus Aldridge was selected second overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers shortly after. He had already spent six seasons as a key player with the Trail Blazers by the time Lillard joined the team in 2012. Their partnership ended when LaMarcus Aldridge decided to leave the Trail Blazers in 2015 and join the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent. For San Antonio, it was one of the franchise’s biggest free agent signings.
Aldridge’s departure was motivated by his ambition to continue his career under coach Gregg Popovich. Additionally, some communication issues and relationship dynamics between Aldridge and Lillard may have played a role in his decision to leave.
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Aldridge remained in San Antonio through 2021. During his tenure, he was named to three All-Star teams and while the Spurs did not win a championship during his tenure, Aldridge was a key player who helped maintain the team’s competitive edge and winning culture in a tough Western Conference.
Interestingly, in 2023, Lillard also expressed interest in joining the San Antonio Spurs. Reports highlighted his deep respect for the Spurs organization and his intrigue at the idea of playing alongside Victor Wembanyama and under coach Gregg Popovich. He was eventually traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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