Report: LaMarcus Aldridge To Pass On Lakers, 'Didn't Quite Gel' With Bryant
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Portland Trailblazers forward and unrestricted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge will not join the Lakers next season, according to a report Wednesday.
Aldridge met with a number of Lakers representatives - a delegation that reportedly included owner Jim Buss, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, Kobe Bryant, head coach Byron Scott and James Worthy - soon after the NBA free agency season officially began Tuesday night.
But despite reports that the meeting went "really well", Aldridge "will not be joining" the team, Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan reported.
According to Bresnahan, one of the reasons Aldridge won't end up in L.A. is that "(h)e and Kobe didn't quite gel."
More LMA: He and Kobe didn't quite gel. It's a little vague, but Aldridge apparently didn't quite get answers from Kobe he was seeking.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015
During the meeting, Bryant reportedly "spoke for about three minutes" and said he envisioned working with Aldridge "the same way Pau Gasol did," according to Bresnahan.
The development is sure to be a disappointment for both Laker fans and the organization, which posted a message on Twitter with hashtag "LAtoLA" minutes after the NBA free agency season officially started.
Aldridge is reportedly considering signing with San Antonio or Houston as his top two choices after the Lakers.