How much is LaMarcus Aldridge worth?

Aldridge's Worth? The Portland Trail Blazers assuredly still have decisions on their hands this summer, such as if they want to extend franchise cornerstones Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

There is very little discussion around the worth of Roy, nor should there be. Max money, no questions asked. But how much should the team pay Aldridge? We noted this morning that Aldridge is looking for something starting at $12 million while the Blazers would probably prefer something about $9 million to begin.

For reference, a maximum contract is currently $13,520,500 – 25% of the cap number – for players with six years of less of experience. (Meaning if Portland gave both players max deals, that would be half of the salary cap number for 2010-11 – just saying.)

So how do we define Aldridge's value? Is it a look at what players he is most commonly compared to? Well, Toronto's Chris Bosh is a maximum salary player and a player who has a similar body type and game to Aldridge. So is L.A.'s Pau Gasol.

Aldridge averaged 18.1 points last season, eighth among qualified power forwards. All of the PFs ahead of him on the scoring list make at least $9 million per season, and all but New Orleans' David West make $10 million or more.

Aldridge was 14th on the list of rebounders among qualified power forwards at 7.5 a game. Other than Houston's Luis Scola, Utah's Paul Millsap, and New York's David Lee – all on their first contracts – Miami's Udonis Haslem is the lowest paid on the list at $7.1 million. And he can't score like Aldridge.

Aldridge was 10th on the list of blocks among qualified power forwards at 0.95 a game. Denver's Chris Andersen and Golden State's Ronny Turiaf topped the list and will make about $4 million each this year, but they don't have much of an offensive game either, and everyone else was well compensated in the range approaching $10 million.

Portland is negotiating from a position of strength, but at the same time they have a chance to lock up a player long-term for less than max money, when it would seem Aldridge's improvement – and even his current game – would seem to indicate that's his value. And if it's not, it will be soon.

Add that to the fact Aldridge is considered a cornerstone of the team, he and star Roy get along great, he works hard in practice to improve his game, he brings effort every game, he is a solid help defender, he has one of the better inside-outside post games around, and the fans of the city in Portland love him, and it would stand to reason that not only should Portland be paying Roy but they should also be paying Aldridge. They might not want to pay him $12 million, but if they can negotiate that down to between $10 million and $11 million, it might behoove them to do so.