NBA free agency: LaMarcus Aldridge agrees to deal with Spurs

The Lakers would love to get free-agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, but it appears unlikely. STREETER LECKA — GETTY IMAGES

The Lakers would love to get free-agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, but it appears unlikely. STREETER LECKA — GETTY IMAGES

The Lakers officially missed out on their top free agent target, sending a prideful organization into a summer of tailspin on its rebuilding efforts.

LaMarcus Aldridge has agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million to the San Antonio Spurs, according to a league source, a move that should ensure the franchise’s continuity even whenever Tim Duncan retires. Aldridge has a player option in his final season, a league source said.

“I’m happy to say I’m going home to Texas and will be a Spur!!” Aldridge wrote on Twitter. I’m excited to join the team and be close to my family and friends.”

The Lakers are hardly excited to hear this news. They have missed out on all their top free agent targets for three consecutive years, including Dwight Howard (2013), LeBron James (2014), Carmelo Anthony (2014), Pau Gasol (2014), Greg Monroe (2015), DeAndre Jordan (2015) and Aldridge (2015). They also could not even land a meeting for certain marquee players this year, such as Cleveland forward Kevin Love and Memphis center Marc Gasol.

Plenty of debate will emerge on why the Lakers have failed to attract top free agents in recent seasons despite its storied history and marketing opportunities Los Angeles has to offer. The Lakers have missed the playoffs and finished with their worst records in L.A. franchise history for two consecutive seasons amid an injury plagued roster already lacking talent. Kobe Bryants’s salary next season ($25 million) as well as three consecutive season-ending injuries also has brought up challenges on assembling a talented team together.

Aldridge’s case also raised questions on whether the Lakers have not adjusted to an evolving NBA landscape. Published accounts said Aldridge walked away from the Lakers’ two-hour meeting last Tuesday unimpressed with the team’s pitch, believing it focused too much on Hollywood style over X’s and O’s substance. Although the Lakers landed a second meeting with Aldridge on Thursday just to talk about basketball-related issues, that could not sway Aldridge away from other suitors. That included San Antonio, Phoenix, Portland, Miami and Toronto.

All of which leaves the Lakers with uncertainty on what their next step could entail.

Perhaps the Lakers return to trade talks with the Sacramento Kings in acquiring disgruntled center DeMarcus Cousins, though the asking price would likely cost some of the Lakers’ young talent in D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, if not more. They could acquire Indiana’s Roy Hibbert or Golden State’s David Lee in a trade, too. They could pursue less high profile big men, such as Kosta Koufos, Bismack Biyombo, Amare Stoudemire and Cole Aldrich. Or the Lakers could retain some own free agents, such as Wayne Ellington or Jordan Hill.

Regardless of how that plays out, that won’t erase the string on another top free agent saying no thanks to the Lakers.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com