LaMarcus Aldridge

Lore & Background

Aldridge's arrival in San Antonio began after his rights were originally acquired by the Chicago Bulls, who selected him second overall in the 2006 draft before trading him to Portland for Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. After spending nearly a decade with the Blazers, where he recorded career highs in points per game and rebounds during the 2013–14 season, Aldridge signed with the Spurs as a free agent in 2015. He immediately integrated into the team's system, relying on his mid-range fadeaway to score efficiently. His time in San Antonio ended in March 2021 when the Spurs bought out his contract, allowing him to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. About a month later, on April 15, 2021, he retired due to an irregular heartbeat, though he returned to the Nets for the 2021–22 season after receiving medical clearance.

Reader's Guide

LaMarcus Aldridge's professional journey began when he declared for the 2006 NBA draft after two seasons with the Texas Longhorns. Initially drafted by the Chicago Bulls, his rights were swiftly traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent nine seasons developing into an All-Star caliber player. In 2015, he moved to the San Antonio Spurs, continuing his reputation as a reliable scorer and defender. His career was briefly interrupted in March 2021 due to health issues involving an irregular heartbeat, leading to a short-lived stint with the Brooklyn Nets before retirement. He returned to the following season after clearing medical protocols, showcasing his determination to continue playing at the highest level.

Did You Know?

• Aldridge was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in April 2007, missing eight games as a rookie.
• While with Portland, he scored a career-high 46 points in Game 1 of the 2014 playoffs against the Houston Rockets.
• In December 2013, while with Portland, he became the first player in Trail Blazers franchise history to record at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in a single game.
• He returned to the Brooklyn Nets for the 2021–22 season after retiring due to an irregular heartbeat about a month into his initial signing.