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Lakers will get a second meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge will meet with the Lakers again on Thursday after L.A.'s original pitch on Tuesday night at the start of free agency fell flat.

LaMarcus Aldridge will meet with the Lakers again on Thursday after L.A.’s original pitch on Tuesday night at the start of free agency fell flat.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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The Lakers requested and will receive a second meeting with free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, what they’re calling a “follow-up” to their unsuccessful sit-down with him when free agency began Tuesday night.

Aldridge, the Lakers’ top target this summer, was unimpressed by the team’s initial pitch, wanting more talk about on-court projections and analytics and less discussion about branding possibilities in the city of Los Angeles.

It was unclear whether the Lakers could change his mind with Thursday’s meeting, which was first reported by Yahoo Sports and will take place in Los Angeles.

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Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and coach Byron Scott will attend the second meeting with Aldridge.

Aldridge, 29, was dazzled by Houston’s pitch that was heavy on analytics and on-court projections. He’s not expected to sign with Houston, and he also was impressed by San Antonio’s presentation, which clearly outlined him as a future franchise cornerstone, along with Kawhi Leonard.

The Phoenix Suns made a mark by agreeing to terms with center Tyson Chandler and then bringing him to their sit-down with Aldridge, who prefers to play power forward.

Before any meetings took place, Los Angeles was a co-favorite with San Antonio to woo Aldridge away from Portland.

The Lakers haven’t had much luck a few days into free agency.

They flew to Washington, D.C., and met with Greg Monroe, eventually offering him a maximum-salary deal, though he chose Milwaukee instead.

The Lakers also have met with DeAndre Jordan, who is favoring a return to the Clippers or heading to Dallas.

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Follow Mike Bresnahan on Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

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