No matter how hard the Toronto Raptors try to escape their ugly past it always seems to keep coming back. With only one series win in the franchises 20-year existence there has not been much to cheer about over the years. Some of the more unpleasant memories for the franchise have been some of its draft picks. Looking back at their picks now the Raptors would more than certain change most of its picks from the past.

LaMarcus Aldridge is one of this year’s top NBA free agents and as a power forward he fills a void the Raptors hope to fill this summer. The 9-year veteran was a 2006 draft pick by the Chicago Bulls, and taken second overall by the Chicago Bulls. Only one pick ahead of him was Italian big man Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors first overall pick.

Looking back at it now the Raptors would take Aldridge over Bargnani, but instead the team is now hoping to secure Aldridge as a free agent while Bargnani is hoping to just receive some interest in the NBA.

A decision to not take Aldridge in 2006 perhaps came to the reason the Raptors already had Chris Bosh. Aldridge and Bosh play a very similar style of basketball. Nonetheless, they would have been a very powerful duo.

If Aldridge did sign in Toronto this summer he would not be the first 2006 draftee to join the club years after 2006; Rudy Gay (8th overall) was acquired in trade by the Raptors, Patrick O’Bryant (9th overall) was an end of the bench player for a couple seasons as were Quincy Douby (19th overall), Steve Novak (32nd overall), P.J. Tucker (35th overall) and Hassan Adams (54th overall). The most important player to come out of this draft class for the Raptors has been Kyle Lowry. The 24th overall pick is now a key all-star to the Raptors starting backcourt.

Aldridge met with the Los Angeles Lakers when the clock struck midnight on Wednesday morning. The rest of the teams he will meet with go in order of; Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Raptors and New York Knicks.

Getting a chance to meet with Aldridge is big for the Raptors. Five years ago no free agent would think of signing up north and now with the talent that is rising out of Canada, along with the culture change NBA players are much more interested.

Raptors plan to have Masai Ujiri and Dwane Casey, along with others at the meeting. There is no signs of a Lowry or DeMar DeRozan making an appearance. And for Global Ambassador Drake, he is in London, England for music work and will reportedly be available via video chat.

Aldridge has been with the Portland Trail Blazers his entire career and will not meet with them as a contract has already been offered. For the Raptors, they remain a longshot to land the big man free agent. Spurs, Aldridge’s hometown team are the expected frontrunners and Lakers are not far behind – Aldridge’s Los Angeles home is very close to Kobe Bryant’s.

Wesley Matthews, another Portland free agent is also on the Raptors radar this summer. The scoring guard is rehabbing his left Achilles tendon and says he will not take an injury discount.

For the Raptors to have a chance at both Aldridge and Matthews they would most likely have to trade DeMar DeRozan. A one time all-star with the Raptors, DeRozan is reportedly asking for a max contract worth $25 million per year as he plans to opt out of his contract next summer. It does not seem the Raptors plan to oblige to DeRozan’s asking price, so trading him now and getting assets in return could make sense for the team.

Both Aldridge and Matthews signing in Toronto would be like bringing the Portland Trail Blazers to Toronto. The Blazers went 51-31 this past season, and were eliminated first round by the Memphis Grizzles.

Raptors would create a very similar looking starting five as the Blazers looked this past season. Lowry and Damian Lillard are two very talented point guards who play with a chip on their shoulders. Matthews replacing DeRozan would still add a scoring punch, but Matthews is a much better three-point shooter. Terrence Ross is nothing close to Nicolas Batum, but the Raptors could upgrade. LaMarcus Aldridge would be a huge upgrade to long-time Raptor Amir Johnson. And Jonas Valanciunas and Robin Lopez both are centers that can get a double-double every night.

Also, a Raptors-Blazers connection would make Toronto the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Building in the NBA is all about being better than your conference and taking your chances against one Western Conference team in a seven game series.

Again, it is a long-shot the Raptors bring Aldridge in and even longer shot that they get both he and Matthews. For both of them, it would not hurt to come to the Eastern Conference, a weaker conference means better chances of winning. Though, Aldridge is leaning towards the Spurs and Matthews has the Dallas Mavericks on his radar.

If the Raptors fail to follow the trail of Portland, their options at the power forward position become limited. Greg Monroe is leaning towards New York; Kevin Love looks to be staying in Cleveland; Paul Millsap is deciding beside Atlanta and Orlando.

Raptors would be left trying to sign David West, which in some cases would be a great pick up. However, defensively the Raptors would leave a major hole as defense is one of their major needs.

It’s early in free agency but things are moving fast and with the salary cap going up next summer some contracts do look ridiculous. For the Raptors, their options are running out and they need to move quickly without panicking.

Follow Satbir Singh on Twitter @SatbirSingh_ & don’t forget to follow @HoopsHypeCA