Spurs still in lead for LaMarcus Aldridge as Suns, Mavericks gain ground

Sam Amick | USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan still weighing options USA TODAY Sports' Eddie Johnson discusses the latest NBA free agency news

The one thing we knew for certain when Day Two of NBA free agency came to an end? Pat Riley is always willing to go the extra (2,730) miles.

From Miami to Los Angeles, the Heat's president made the unexpected trek to visit with free agent forward LaMarcus Alridge on Thursday night.

It was the last meeting of a day that had no shortage of twists and turns, from Aldridge's unexpected decision to visit with the Los Angeles Lakers for a second time to the revelation that his Blazers teammate and fellow All-Star, Damian Lillard, was planning on making an 11th-hour visit of his own to convince the big man to stay in Portland.

But according to a person with knowledge of Aldridge's situation, it was - other than a nice dinner - much ado about nothing. Entering Friday, the LaMarcus leaderboard is believed to still have the San Antonio Spurs up top, with the Phoenix Suns second and the Dallas Mavericks a darkhorse of sorts from there. Aldridge, it should be noted, is from Dallas and played collegiately at the University of Texas in Austin.

The Lakers appear to have gained no ground, nor did teams like the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors who previously met with him. And barring an unexpected turn, it appears the Heat's visit hardly put them onto the short list either.

To review, the Spurs' appeal has everything to do with the idea that they could instantly be title favorites if Aldridge joined Tim Duncan (who told the San Antonio Express-News that he'll be back next season), Kawhi Leonard (who agreed to a five-year, $90 million extension), Tony Parker, Danny Green (who agreed to a four-year, $45 million deal) and the rest of coach Gregg Popovich's crew.

The Suns, meanwhile, made the surprising addition of free agent center Tyson Chandler (four years, $52 million) and jumped up the Aldridge leaderboard in the process. With guards Brandon Knight (new five-year, $70 million deal) and Eric Bledsoe part of their package, the Suns have done well to even be this close in the race. Aldridge is not expected to take any more meetings, so a decision should be coming sooner rather than later.

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