Update: The San Antonio Spurs have now made the contract extension official with a press release.
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed LaMarcus Aldridge to a contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
Yahoo’s Shams Charania reports that Aldridge and the Spurs have agreed to a three-year extension worth $72.3 million.
Aldridge opted into his $22.3 million player option with the Spurs for next season and signed for an additional two years and $50 million, league sources said. Aldridge’s third year includes a partial guarantee, league sources said.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the San Antonio Spurs and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge are having serious discussions about a contract extension.
This may come as a surprise to some, considering Aldridge was linked in trade rumors over the summer and he voiced his displeasure with the Spurs and how they were utilizing him, but with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and the 12th-year forward reportedly on the same page, it appears the groundwork is being done to keep Aldridge in silver and black.
Aldridge can exercise opt-out for '18-19, become free agent. A deal before midnight would allow him to opt-in at $22M and extend 3 years. https://t.co/xctuZktepW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2017
While Aldridge hasn’t exactly endeared himself to Spurs fans, especially in regards to his performance in the 2017 NBA playoffs, he came into training camp taking on a leadership role, according to Popovich, and the adjustments made to incorporate Aldridge into the offense seem to have worked in the preseason.
Through five games, he averaged 18 points per game while shooting over 57 percent from the field.
Early on in the season, as long as Leonard is out, Aldridge will be looked upon to carry the offensive load, and he’s shown early on that he’s capable of doing that.
