When former Portland Trail Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge announced his intentions to sign with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, it completely shifted the balance of power out West: Portland, which won 51 and 54 games the past two years, is suddenly without their franchise cornerstone and will likely head into rebuilding mode (read: last-place). Meanwhile, San Antonio now becomes a heavy favorite to win their sixth title in the Tim Duncan-Gregg Popovich era.
Whether the move will spur the Spurs to another ring will be seen, as will how well free agent Aldridge meshes with the core of the San Antonio team. If he meshes well, the $80-million signing will go down as one of most significant free agent signings of the last 20 years. Here are the top five:
1. LeBron James to the Miami Heat in 2010; to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 (tie):
Whenever a former MVP changes location, it’s major news. When James, then just 25 but already with a pair of MVPs under his belt, announced he was taking his talents to South Beach it instantly made the Heat contenders. Miami won the Eastern Conference all four years with James on board, including a pair of titles in 2012 and 2013. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers sank to the bottom of the league, winning the draft lottery three times in four years.
Then when James returned home in 2014, the Cavs became contenders again, making it all the way to the NBA Finals, while Miami missed out on the playoffs. He is clearly the biggest difference-maker in the NBA.
