I'll just pipe in to say that there were several posters here who argued strongly that Aldridge should be traded
before that potentially special season, because of innuendo and in some cases inside knowledge that he wanted out and was not going to re-sign here.
As for
during the season, based on the season the team was having and especially because of (I believe false) statements by Aldridge that he wanted to stay and be the best Blazer blah blah blah, I would concur that the Blazers hands were tied and there would have been a larger fan revolt had the Blazers traded him during that season.
To me it kinda doesn't matter any more. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. Like us
And sometimes, something we thought was a bad thing turns out to be a good thing.