Nicolas Batum believes LaMarcus Aldridge remains the Portland Trail Blazers' go-to guy and franchise player, and he believes that the All-Star forward wants to stay with the team as it improves.

"I heard that too and I laughed when I read that," Batum said of speculation involving Aldridge this offseason. "He doesn't want to get traded, he wants the team to get better. LaMarcus is a winner.

"I know that's what he wants. We had two bad seasons and missed the playoffs and wants the team to improve. I think he didn't ask for a trade. He wants to stay and win with the Blazers. He just wants a better team around him so we can get back to the playoffs."

Aldridge and the Blazers have refuted that he requested a trade from the organization.