Dear LaMarcus,
Sorry, to be taking up your time if you read this anytime from now until you have made your decision. The Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers brass' are all on their knees, probably crying, for you to sign with their respective franchise. This letter comes from behalf of the entire Phoenix Suns fan base:
To Suns fans, those teams aren't necessarily on their 'good list', the arch nemesis Lakers and Spurs are hated in Phoenix. The Rockets and Mavs wouldn't exactly qualify as "likeable" teams to Suns fans, to say the least. However, this letter is not asking you to spurn those teams in favor of the Suns simply because fans dislike them, it would be the best decision for you.
Yes, everybody knows you are from the state of Texas, which is why all three franchises that root in Texas are vying for your services. They know they have an advantage, a little ticker to use against you to sign with one of them. They know. You would be the 'hometown hero.' Do not fall for that. Here in Phoenix, Aldridge will be loved. He will be loved for being the first 'superstar' to willingly sign here since Steve Nash did so in 2005. The Phoenix Suns do not have a star player, which is why they are doing their best to make their roster as appealing to you as possible.
LaMarcus, a power-forward. Not a center. A defensive-minded center is what fits next to you. A perfect complement to your game in the frontcourt. The Suns know this. They went out and signed former Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler to a four-year contract. They did this for you. Chandler, who is a contributing editor for The Players' Tribune, wrote a piece back in February about the league's elite bigs. He did nothing but rave about LaMarcus' game.
LaMarcus is extremely underrated. He's been one of the best power forwards in the game for the last four years. He's a master of establishing body position and spacing the floor... LaMarcus is a guy who plays great team basketball. He does those small things it takes to win that you don't notice.
A bit of a surprise seeing Tyson Chandler at the meeting you had with the Suns, huh? A good one, though. A hell-of-a-lot better than having to imagine playing next to 22-year-old third year big Alex Len. The Suns did this for you. A perfect complement to your game, and a highly-respected NBA champion.
The San Antonio Spurs have Tim Duncan who is a power forward. The Lakers have no center on the roster. The Dallas Mavericks have Dirk Nowitzki, again, power forward. In those situations, Mr. Aldridge, you would be stepping into a role you simply are not looking to play. The Phoenix Suns have a starting power forward position opening that screams your name.
Phoenix knows your desire to play the power-forward position, not center. It is no secret, and they have taken care of that for you.
The Portland Trail Blazers seemed to put Damian Lillard a little bit above of you in terms of importance to the team. Phoenix does not know if that bothered you or not, but what they do know is that in Phoenix, you are the man. Nobody would shine in your spotlight. You would be the Phoenix Suns.
Gregg Popovich has gone as far as saying Kawhi Leonard will be the 'face of the spurs'. In Phoenix, you are the face. You do not have to follow the footsteps of the Admiral, or Timmy. You can be you. And the fans will love that.
With Houston, you would be third-fiddle, sort of what Kevin Love is to the Cavs. In Los Angeles or San Antonio, winning a title would be just another accomplishment added to a history filled with success. Nothing major. In Phoenix, you would be the darling.
Phoenix is the fourth winningest franchise in NBA history, but look up 'NBA champions' on Google and the Suns would not show up. They have never won an NBA championship. Heck, they haven't made the playoffs for five straight seasons. You come here, and lead this team to a title, LaMarcus Aldridge will be the hero of Arizona. Not of the Suns basketball team, nor the city of Phoenix, the hero of Arizona. Championship? That is a lot of pressure, lead the Suns to the playoffs and even then you will be drenched with love by these faithful fans. They have been waiting for a player like you.
The fact that you would even sign here over big markets that are also courting for your services would immediately make you the most loved sports figure Phoenix currently has. LaMarcus, Phoenix wants you.
How would you like to walk downtown, with a restaurant named after you, or a life-sized painting of you on a parking structure? How about seeing 'Aldridge' on the back of every Suns jersey in Talking Stick Resort Arena at every home game? Not 'Bryant', not 'Harden', not 'Nowitzki', but 'Aldridge'. You would be the man.
A championship and you are automatically above Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Steve Nash, among others. Yup.
Winning? LaMarcus, you have played with solid Blazer teams and made playoffs plenty of times. The depth awaiting you here in Phoenix is unreal, though.
A starting backcourt of two young near-All-Star guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, who are locked up for four and five years, respectively. They are both signed long after the salary cap spike, and to 'value' contracts compared to what players have been getting this week. They both average around 18 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Yes, the Suns could keep both if you came here! And when I say young, I mean Bledsoe at 25 years old and Knight at 23 years old. YOUNG. There is a foundation set here to win now, and in the future.
What about that defensive center you have been wanting to play with? Oh, that's right, the Suns brought one in for you. A former defensive player of the year, who has wanted to specifically play next to you. A former NBA champion.
In San Antonio, or Dallas, you go there and what happens in two years? What will the roster look like then? Not only does Phoenix have a young roster built to compete now, it is built towards the future as well! Alex Len, Archie Goodwin, TJ Warren, and Devin Booker are all under 22 years old. Sure, they are unproven, but three of the four are young lottery picks. At worst, they are assets to bring more help to you in Phoenix. Although Alex Len sure looks like he could develop into more than that. Lamarcus, Phoenix has multiple draft picks in the coming years from various teams and have zero bad contracts on the roster!
Oh, PJ Tucker also plays there. You know, your boy from college? Teammates at Texas? Yeah, he is in Phoenix.
48 wins the season before last, 39 wins last season. The Suns can win, they proved that without much to show on their roster. You bring your talents here and pair with Tyson Chandler, the Suns immediately contend for the Western Conference and the right to potentially battle LeBron James in the NBA finals, not only next year, but for years to come.
The Suns dumped Marcus Morris, Danny Granger, and Reggie Bullock today without any assurance that you would sign here. They risked that move, for you. They've created the cap space for you, they are just waiting on your word. That's right, they did the unthinkable! They separated the twins!
The last time Phoenix had a player remotely close to your caliber was in 2010, Amar'e Stoudemire's final year with the team. They miss winning, they miss being where the franchise is used to being at, they need you. Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas could use you, but they do not need you.
These free agency meetings you have been attending, you may surely be tired of, may show how much these multiple franchise wants you. But they do not get a chance to showcase how bad the fan base wants you. LaMarcus, every single soul in Phoenix would have officially the biggest smile on their faces if you chose to sign there.
The Suns are overdue for some luck. Looking back at last season alone, the Suns lost at the buzzer five times. They were forced to trade the franchise-darling Goran Dragic. There were plenty of encounters that happened that just do not happen for a professional sports team. Having struck out on many major free agents over the last decade, it just seems this time luck must change. And you could be that reason.
Speaking of luck, remember when the Suns had one of the best teams in franchise history and could have been on their way to their first ever NBA title if it weren't for a Robert Horry hipcheck? Or how about Paxson's three in 1993? Lamarcus, you are the solution to this puzzle.
Also, you should check out the Suns' magic age potion-- or the great training staff they have that helps players age well.
The Suns are in no way the most appealing destination out of the rumored lists, but why do they have to be? If the Suns do win a title at any point of your tenure here, it will be YOUR title. That title will be one of the most memorable in NBA history, as one of the winningest franchise's finally got that elusive championship. You would be the reason that first ever banner is hanging in the arena.
Mr. Aldridge, let us tell you one thing, Phoenix fans did not want to get their hopes up even when they heard they had a meeting with you. Some reports leaking out saying you are even considering Phoenix has the fan base rocking the socks off their feet. Running rapidly around the house in their boxers, even adults, just from the rumor that you've even put Phoenix into consideration. Trust me on that. The fans would feel blessed and lucky to have you.
LaMarcus, you will probably never read this, but the Phoenix Suns give you the best combination of chance to win, fame, and overall love. You would be that guy. You would feel love you have never even felt in Portland. Hard to believe, right? From every single Phoenix Suns fan around the globe, come to Phoenix. Save the Suns.