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LaMarcus Aldridge un-retires from NBA, re-signs with Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Per ESPN.com, “after retiring with heart concerns five months ago, seven-time All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge is returning to the Brooklyn Nets on a one-year, $2.6 million deal, his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, told ESPN on Friday. Aldridge, 36, has been medically cleared by a number of doctors — including those both independent and Nets-affiliated — to make a return for his 16th season, Schwartz told ESPN.”

Aldridge (6’11”, 265) has appeared in 1,029 career NBA games (985 starts) across 15 seasons with Brooklyn (2021), San Antonio (2015-21) and Portland (2006-15), averaging 19.4 points on 49.1 percent shooting from the field and 81.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 34.2 minutes per contest.

A seven-time NBA All-Star (2012-16, 2018-19), Aldridge most recently saw action in 26 contests (23 starts) for the Nets (five games) and Spurs (21 games). In his five games as a Net, Aldridge recorded averages of 12.8 points on 52.1 percent shooting from the field, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game.

The Dallas native is a five-time All-NBA selection, taking home second-team honors twice (2015, 2018) and third-team honors on three occasions (2011, 2014, 2016). Among active players, Aldridge currently ranks fourth in field goals made (8,059), fifth in rebounds (8,478), seventh in points (19,951), eighth in blocks (1,140) and 10th in games played (1,029). Aldridge is one of just two active players to register 19,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists, joining LeBron James. The 36-year-old, who helped lead San Antonio to the conference finals in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, has appeared in the postseason nine times in his career, averaging 20.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 82.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line to go along with 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks in 37.1 minutes per game in 72 total contests (all starts).

The second overall pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Aldridge played collegiately at the University of Texas for two seasons (2004-06), appearing in 53 career games (all starts) for the Longhorns and averaging 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game. Following his final season in Austin, Aldridge was named First-Team All-Big 12 and the conference’s defensive player of the year.

Nets get even stronger, sign LaMarcus Aldridge

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge (6’11”, 265) has appeared in 1,024 career NBA games (980 starts) across 15 seasons with Portland (2006-15) and San Antonio (2015-21), averaging 19.4 points on 49.1 percent shooting from the field and 81.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 34.2 minutes per contest.

Per the New York Post, “granted, the 35-year-old’s Aldridge’s defense has become something of a weakness the past few seasons, and he was bought out by the Spurs. But he overlapped with [Nets GM Sean] Marks, who was San Antonio’s assistant GM in 2015, when they signed the big man to a four-year, $80 million deal. Aldridge won’t make that with the Nets, and shouldn’t be viewed as having the same potential. But after the Nets signed [Blake] Griffin before the buyout market even started, the signing of Aldridge is just the latest example of their drawing power and ability to lure accomplished veterans serious about competing for a title.”

A seven-time NBA All-Star (2012-16, 2018-19), Aldridge most recently saw action in 21 contests (18 starts) for the Spurs this season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.9 minutes per game. The Dallas native is a five-time All-NBA selection, taking home second-team honors twice (2015, 2018) and third-team honors on three occasions (2011, 2014, 2016). Among active NBA players, Aldridge currently ranks third in field goals made (8,034), fifth in rebounds (8,454), sixth in points (19,887), eighth in blocks (1,129) and ninth in games played (1,024). The 35-year-old, who helped lead San Antonio to the conference finals in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, has appeared in the postseason nine times in his career, averaging 20.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 82.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line to go along with 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks in 37.1 minutes per game in 72 total contests (all starts).

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Spurs waive LaMarcus Aldridge after two sides reach buyout agreement

The San Antonio Spurs today reached a buyout agreement with forward-center LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge appeared in a total of 376 games for the Spurs and averaged 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.25 blocks in five-plus seasons for the Silver and Black. The former Texas Longhorn was named All-NBA twice (2016, 2018) and an NBA All-Star three times (2016, 2018, 2019) while in San Antonio.

Per the San Antonio Express News, in the midst of a season in which he averaged 13.7 points, his least since his rookie season, while shooting 46.4 percent and grabbing a career-low 4.5 rebounds per game, Aldridge nevertheless still has value to championship-contending teams as a complimentary piece. His $24 million salary cap number, however, proved too cumbersome to trade. Spurs players did their best to take a “que sera, sera” approach to what often can be a trying day in NBA locker rooms.”

After originally signing with the Spurs on July 4, 2015, Aldridge became one of six players in San Antonio history to record at least 7,000 points and 3,000 rebounds, joining Spurs legends David Robinson, Tim Duncan, George Gervin, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Spurs bringing LaMarcus Aldridge off the bench lately

Spurs forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge has been a supporting cast player for the 18-14 Spurs this season. And lately, he’s been coming off the bench. Via the San Antonio Express News:

Coach Gregg Popovich seems poised to move forward with a small-ball starting lineup that features Jakob Poeltl at center.

That has shifted Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star, to the bench for the first time since his rookie season in Portland.

Just before the All-Star break, the 35-year-old Aldridge returned from a three-week hiatus due to a hip injury to find himself in a new role.

He played in three games as a reserve, then missed the final two contests before the break with a stomach illness.

As such, the sample size projecting how Aldridge might fit with the second unit is small. He scored 21 points in a victory over New Orleans, which perhaps demonstrated the upside of having one of the top 100 scorers in NBA history around to beat up on opposing second-teamers.

How Aldridge adjusts to life off the bench — or doesn’t — will be a fascinating plot point of the Spurs’ second half.

No LaMarcus Aldridge for Spurs at Disney World this summer

Along with 21 other teams, th Spurs are going to Disney World this summer. This assuming the NBA’s plan gets put into place, with league play resuming in modified fashion in late July at Disney Wide World of Sports, featuring a handful of regular season games leading into what will hopefully be a full playoffs.

But the Spurs will be doing so without one of their star players. After undergoing surgery today, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge won’t be playing again until the 2020-21 season, which may not start until December, though that is completely up in the air right now.

Read full details by clicking this link: LaMarcus Aldridge undergoes shoulder surgery, done for 2019-20 NBA season

NBA Rumor: Spurs may trade LaMarcus Aldridge

Will the Spurs trade LaMarcus Aldridge? He’s their second best player after Kawhi Leonard, but makes a lot of money and is on the wrong side of 30. Here’s the San Antonio Express News with the report:

Multiple league sources have informed the Express-News the Spurs are exploring the trade market, hoping to find a deal to unload Aldridge, who will turn 32 next month.

“They feel it’s time to move on,” a source told the Express-News.

Considered the best free agent signing of 2015, Aldridge signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the Spurs. He’s scheduled to make roughly $21 million next season.

Suns meet with LaMarcus Aldridge

Every NBA team in need of a big-man with serious game is interested in Portland Trail Blazers free agent powe forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The Phoenix Suns are included in that mix. Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting:

The Suns’ Wednesday meeting with free agent LaMarcus Aldridge might have closed some ground in their chase for a much-needed star.

With an intricate plan in place for the first day of free agency, the Suns showed Aldridge what type of team that they envision being before they even met with him. The Suns opened free agency by adding veteran center Tyson Chandler with a four-year, $52 million agreement and by coming to terms to keep guard Brandon Knight on a five-year, $70 million contract.

Those were important to do first because Chandler and Knight were along for the ride when the Suns brought an eight-man contingent for a two-hour meeting with Aldridge, who is believed to be mainly considering San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix.

The meeting was broken into segments, starting with Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver meeting alone with Aldridge. President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby and General Manager Ryan McDonough had the next meeting.

We’re just one day into free agent negotiations and it’s already fascinating.

LaMarcus Aldridge had thumb surgery today

LaMarcus Aldridge had thumb surgery today

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge underwent successful surgery today to repair the injured radial collateral ligament of his left thumb. Dr. Thomas J. Graham performed the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Aldridge is expected to be able to return basketball activity in approximately eight weeks.

The Blazers finished the regular season with a 51-31 record. They lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs, in five games.

In the regular season, Aldridge averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. His season almost ended early due to his thumb injury, but he played through it.

Several key Blazers are banged up

The Trail Blazers were back at practice Tuesday after making their preseason debut Monday in an 89-81 loss to the Clippers. That meant a little more court time for two of their key players, LaMarcus Aldridge and Mo Williams.

The veterans, who both sat out Monday’s game nursing injuries, went through Tuesday’s workout. Neither was sure if he would play in the team’s second exhibition game, against Phoenix at the Moda Center on Wednesday.

Aldridge continues to come back from a strained left quadriceps he suffered last Wednesday while running a sprint.

“I felt good,” Aldridge said. “We didn’t do a whole lot, but I felt good going up and down, a little sore, but that’s a given.”

Reported by Mike Tokito of the Oregonian