NBA Free Agents 2014: Portland Trail Blazers' Success Could Attract New Stars, Say LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers, who are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference with their 36-17 record, are on pace to make the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 NBA season after their strong performance in the first half of the current season—success that could help them land more big-name free agents down the road.

The success of the Blazers could be mainly attributed to the emergence of sophomore guard Damian Lillard and veteran forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who is having the best season of his eight-year career.

And because they are winning this season, Lillard and Aldridge, who became the first pair from Portland to earn a place in the Western Conference All-Star team since Clyde Drexler and Clifford Robinson in 1994, said that Portland is becoming an attractive team for free agents.

In an interview with CSNNW, Aldridge, who is averaging 23.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game this season, revealed that several All-Star players talked to him during the All-Star weekend, expressing interest in joining him and Lillard in Portland.

"Definitely a few guys have told me that this weekend," Aldridge said without naming the players.

Fellow All-Star Lillard, who is tallying 20.7 points to go along with 5.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game this season, echoed Aldridge's words, but he clarified that they haven't actively recruited players during the weekend.

The former Weber State standout, who won the Rookie of the Year award last season, said that their current success this season has been attracting players to consider playing in Portland with him and Aldridge.

"I think winning and the type of people that we are will attract people," Lillard said. "In that way, I guess we are recruiting but I haven't actively done so."

Lillard noted that Portland is not as attractive as other cities, but it is a perfect place for players who are serious about basketball.

Unlike in other bigger cities and bigger markets, the 23-year-old point guard said that there are less distractions in Portland, which will help a player focus on improving his game.

"If you're serious about basketball, Portland is the place," Lillard said. "I love it there. It's not a big city so it allows you to concentrate on your craft. Some people need the distractions of the nightlife but for me personally, it's the perfect place for me. I just work on my game. That's what I get paid to do."