The San Antonio Spurs have reportedly agreed to sign power forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a three-year $72.3 million contract extension. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to break the news on Monday:
Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge has reached agreement on a three-year, $72.3M contract extension, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2017
San Antonio Spurs Sign LaMarcus Aldridge to Contract Extension
This extension comes as a surprise to many, with Aldridge reportedly on the trade block this off-season.
Aldridge’ extension will keep him with the Spurs until the end of 2020-21 season. The 11-year NBA veteran will opt into his $22.3 million deal for the 2018-19 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The extension will kick in at the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
Aldridge extension starts in 2019-'20. He will opt into his $22.3M for 2018-'19 season and will be signed through the 2020-'21 season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2017
Aldridge averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, career lows if you exclude his rookie year. Playing 72 games last season, Aldridge would start on all 72 occasions.
This deal will come as a shock to many, with Aldridge rumoured to be on his way out of San Antonio. After a poor postseason and a reported disagreement with head coach Gregg Popovich, Aldridge was subject to criticism, leading to trade talks this off-season. Despite his struggles the past two seasons, Aldridge would enter Spurs camp in the usual professional manner. If left unsigned, Aldridge was set to enter free agency next summer, so this deal could be seen as San Antonio protecting an asset.
This season Aldridge is hoping for a bounce-back year, as he enters his third season with the Spurs.
Aldridge was drafted second overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2006. Immediately traded to Portland, he would spend the first nine years of his career as a Trail Blazer. Now entering his 12th season in the association, Aldridge has been named an All-Star on five occasions.
