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The Los Angeles Lakers want another chance to make their free agency pitch to LaMarcus Aldridge, and the All-Star big man has agreed to sit down with the franchise again, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. It's unclear what has changed on the Lakers' side, but Aldridge's willingness to hear out Mitch Kupchak and the front office again makes for an interesting fold.
Aldridge has yet to make his free agency decision, and teams around the league continue to pursue him. The Phoenix Suns are working toward clearing additional salary space in order to create enough room to offer him a maximum-level contract without working out a sign-and-trade with the Trail Blazers. The Spurs have been on hold after locking in their core and making their pitch. The Miami Heat have now emerged as a new suitor as well, according to Wojnarowski.
The Lakers' first pitch was not received well by Aldridge, though conflicting reports sprouted out the following morning. Los Angeles has been silent in free agency since meeting with Greg Monroe -- who's since signed with the Milwaukee Bucks -- and DeAndre Jordan.
Here's what reporters around the NBA are saying about Round 2 with Aldridge:
One source briefed on the Lakers second meeting with Aldridge told Yahoo Sports: "They want to see if they can get it right."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 2, 2015
Aldridge felt first meeting with Lakers was too focused on non-basketball (Hollywood, branding, etc) and Lakers want to rectify it.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 2, 2015
The second meeting with the Lakers will only involve GM Mitch Kupchak and Coach Byron Scott, & will only be about basketball, per source.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 2, 2015
Knicks meeting was cancelled once it became clear NY wanted Aldridge to play center, something he is adamant against doing, per source.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 2, 2015