LaMarcus Aldridge Rumors | Hoops Rumors

LaMarcus Aldridge Out Indefinitely With Heart Arrhythmia

March 11th, 2017 at 10:56am CST by Austin Kent

The Spurs will be without forward LaMarcus Aldridge for an indefinite period of time, the team has reported on Twitter. The 31-year-old big man is suffering from a minor heart arrhythmia.

Although serious arrhythmias can be life-threatening, they aren’t necessarily always harmful. The franchise, needless to say, has taken the wise approach to sit Aldridge until further examination can be conducted.

In 58 games with the Spurs so far this season, Aldridge has posted 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

We will provide updates as they come in from the Spurs organization.

Of note is that, per Jeff Stotts of Rotowire, Aldridge suffers from Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and has undergone at least two procedures to address the issue since his rookie campaign in 2006.

In 2007, Casey Holdahl of the Oregonian wrote about Aldridge’s 2006/07 campaign being cut short when the Trail Blazers announced that he would undergo treatment for the congenital condition.

Southwest Notes: Murray, Aldridge, Jackson

December 27th, 2016 at 7:51pm CST by ChrisCrouse

San Antonio waived Nicolas Laprovittola earlier today and the development of first-round pick Dejounte Murray played a role in the team’s decision, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports (Twitter link). The Spurs viewed Laprovittola as a placeholder until Murray was ready to play minutes as their third point guard and apparently, they believe the No. 29 overall pick is ready for that role.

Murray started for the Spurs against the Blazers last week and he had an impressive game, making four of his eight shots from the field. Coach Gregg Popovich praised the rookie after the game, as Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News relays. “Dejounte did well,” Popovich said. “He controlled his emotions and wasn’t intimidated by anything. He played a good solid game.”

Here’s more from the Southwest Division:

The Spurs want LaMarcus Aldridge to be more aggressive on the offensive end, Orsborn relays in the same piece. “I tell him every day he needs to score more and shoot the ball more,” Tony Parker said. “[Kawhi Leonard] is going to do his thing, but LaMarcus needs to be another force and he needs to do that every game.”
The Mavericks signed Pierre Jackson earlier today and coach Rick Carlisle said the team wants to get “a close look at him,” as Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com (Twitter link) relays. Carlisle added that he believes Jackson was going to be the first D-League player to sign with an NBA team this season even if Dallas didn’t offer him a deal.
Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News wonders now if the Mavericks can rise in the standings now that the team is starting to get healthy.

Spurs Notes: Arcidiacono, Aldridge, Hardy

November 1st, 2016 at 11:38am CST by Luke Adams

Ryan Arcidiacono, waived by the Spurs during the team’s preseason cuts, will join San Antonio’s D-League affiliate in Austin, league sources tell Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. According to Young, the Spurs are hopeful that Patricio Garino and Livio Jean-Charles, who were both recently cut by the club, will head to the D-League as well. Both players were listed on Austin’s preseason roster, so it appears they’ll start the year with the team.

Here’s more from out of San Antonio:

Speaking to Sam Amick of USA Today (Twitter link), LaMarcus Aldridge reiterated that he’s content with his situation in San Antonio. “The organization is happy with me and I’m happy with them,” Aldridge said. “As long as we keep a good relationship then everything is fine.”
Boris Diaw won’t play in the Jazz’s first game against San Antonio this season, but that didn’t stop Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News from examining how this summer’s change of scenery has affected the veteran French forward.
In another piece for The Express-News, Young takes a closer look at new Spurs assistant coach Will Hardy, a potential up-and-coming “gem” for the franchise.

LaMarcus Aldridge Says He’s Happy With Spurs

October 20th, 2016 at 2:33pm CST by Luke Adams

Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge has been the subject of some trade rumors and speculation this week, with those reports suggesting that the team would only consider a deal if it’s not a championship contender this season, and only because Aldridge may not be thrilled with his role in San Antonio. Addressing the rumors today during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Aldridge dismissed the idea that he’s unhappy with the Spurs (link via Jeff Garcia of Spurs Zone).

“We made history last year. They’ve incorporated me into the family. Try to make me one of the big pieces,” Aldridge said. “I’m winning. Of course I’m happy. That’s why I don’t buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I’ve done everything that they’ve asked. That’s why I haven’t bought into the rumors.”

Multiple reports earlier this week indicated that Aldridge’s camp may be unhappy that he has become Kawhi Leonard‘s wingman in San Antonio, rather than vice versa, but the former Blazer downplayed that idea. Aldridge said that he’s had positive conversations with head coach Gregg Popovich and positive feedback from his teammates, adding that Popovich is putting him in positions where he can become more of a leader for the club.

It comes as no surprise that Aldridge would attempt to quell this week’s trade rumors before they gain any real momentum. Based on those earlier reports, some long-term uncertainty has crept into the relationship between the Spurs and Aldridge, but it’s hardly a combustible situation. By all indications, even if the Spurs are perhaps willing to consider a trade down the road, they don’t intend to do so anytime soon. A strong first half by Aldridge and the Spurs could quiet the trade whispers entirely as the 2017 deadline approaches.

Latest On LaMarcus Aldridge, Spurs

October 19th, 2016 at 12:59pm CST by Luke Adams

On Tuesday, we rounded up a handful of reports which suggested that the possibility of a LaMarcus Aldridge trade during the 2016/17 season isn’t out of the question. According to those reports, Aldridge isn’t believed to be entirely happy with his situation in San Antonio, and the team is open to the idea of moving him.

Just as Tuesday’s Rudy Gay trade rumor resulted in several follow-up and reaction pieces, which we passed along this morning, the Aldridge whispers have led to some additional reporting. Let’s check in on the highlights…

Spurs sources tell Jeff McDonald and Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News that no trade talks involving Aldridge have occurred with any team. Of course, none of Tuesday’s reports claimed that San Antonio had actually engaged in trade discussions yet.
According to the Express-News duo, league sources believe the Spurs will be tempted to gauge Aldridge’s value on the trade market if the season unexpectedly goes south. The Spurs are still expected to play out the season with their core intact, but might have a change of plans if they don’t feel like a championship is within reach.
While the Spurs may not be looking to trade Aldridge, the honeymoon period of the marriage is “clearly over,” writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Kyler hears that Aldridge’s role as Kawhi Leonard‘s wingman may be a source of frustration for the ex-Blazer, since he signed in San Antonio expected to be the primary guy. Still, according to Kyler, no one believes the situation is “combustible” at this point, even if Aldridge’s long-term future in San Antonio isn’t entirely clear.
If Aldridge isn’t happy in San Antonio, where he’s making north of $20MM per year for a 67-win team, that doesn’t reflect well on him, says Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. However, Deveney notes that the big man hasn’t publicly expressed any dissatisfaction at all.

Spurs Open To Moving LaMarcus Aldridge

October 18th, 2016 at 3:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The whispers on LaMarcus Aldridge‘s potential availability in San Antonio are getting a little louder, with Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News reporting that the Spurs are open to moving Aldridge in a trade, should the right deal surface.

While most teams are “open” to moving most players if the offer is enticing enough, this isn’t the first time there have been rumblings about Aldridge’s name possibly being on the trade block. Last week, ESPN’s Zach Lowe predicted that Aldridge’s name would surface in trade talks, particularly if the Spurs don’t outperform expectations, though he framed that as one of 30 “crazy predictions,” cautioning that the odds were against a deal.

However, ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan has heard some trade rumors of her own on Aldridge, revealing during an appearance on CSNNE’s Early Edition that sources have told her the big man may not finish the season in San Antonio. According to MacMullan, the marriage between Aldridge and the Spurs hasn’t worked out quite as well so far as either side has hoped.

Young echoes that sentiment, writing in his piece that sources close to the situation believe Aldridge may not be happy at the moment. According to Young, the Spurs are believed to have pitched him on a role as their primary offensive weapon when they signed him, and that hasn’t exactly occurred, with Kawhi Leonard assuming that role instead.

Whether or not there’s a little friction behind the scenes in San Antonio, the Spurs aren’t likely to make a major move in the immediate future. Aldridge could become a more viable trade candidate closer to the deadline, but the team figures to open the season with the former Blazer playing a major role.

Spurs Notes: Ginobili, Lee, Mills, Aldridge

October 7th, 2016 at 10:10am CST by Luke Adams

While Manu Ginobili is continuing his career with the Spurs this year, several of his longtime teammates are no longer around. Tim Duncan retired this offseason, Boris Diaw was traded to the Jazz, and Matt Bonner has not been re-signed by San Antonio. As Ginobili noted in an article for Argentinian newspaper La Nacion (link via Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype), there has been a real adjustment period for the Spurs this fall without Duncan and others on the team.

“Making it to the locker room and seeing another person in [Duncan’s] place is, without a doubt, odd,” Ginobili said. “It’s been 15 years together; his presence brought a lot of different things. But I insist it’s going to be felt more during the course of the season.

“It also feels strange not having Boris and Matt, who were key too,” Ginobili continued. “Those are big absences. Boris’ is felt on and off the court. Matt’s more off the court because he played less. Those two players made me feel comfortable on a day-to-day basis and everything was enjoyable. I could talk with them about things not related to basketball. I’m going to miss them a lot from a personal standpoint.”

As Ginobili gets accustomed to the new-look Spurs, let’s round up a few other notes from out of San Antonio…

Discussing his decision to sign with the Spurs, David Lee called it a “perfect fit,” expressing a desire to win a title in San Antonio, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. “[Gregg Popovich] called me in the middle of the summer and told me they’d love to have me,” Lee said. “We talked a little bit about the role he thought I’d have, and it sounded great.”
Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders identifies Patty Mills as one of 20 players entering a contract year who are worth watching in 2016/17. With the salary cap on the rise, Mills may be in line for an eight-figure payday, Greene writes.
LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs’ big free agent signing in the summer of 2015, is feeling much more comfortable heading into this season, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. As Wright details, Aldridge is much more confident this year, no longer feeling like he has to defer to longtime Spurs like Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker.

Spurs Notes: Ginobili, Aldridge, Williams, Parker

September 29th, 2016 at 7:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

Veteran guard Manu Ginobili continues to enjoy basketball too much to think about retirement, writes Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. The 39-year-old decided in mid-July to play another season, accepting a one-year, $14MM contract from the Spurs. He remained productive last season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 58 games, then followed that up by representing Argentina in the Olympics. Ginobili says he doesn’t have a timetable for retirement, and he wasn’t influenced by Tim Duncan‘s decision to step away from the game. “Those type of decisions that define your future … and family and all of that usually doesn’t depend on what Tim does,” said Ginobili. “I just felt like I still wanted to do it. That I can help the team. That I enjoy it. That I’m healthy. That was the main key.”

There’s more from the Spurs’ camp:

LaMarcus Aldridge is enjoying his reunion with new Spurs executive Monty Williams, relays Nick Moyle of The San Antonio Express-News. Williams, who joined the organization over the summer as vice president of basketball operations, was an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers when Aldridge broke into the league in 2006. They were together until Williams left to become head coach of the Pelicans in 2010. “It’s been fun,” Aldridge said. “I think he said the other day he hadn’t seen me in so many years that he didn’t realize I was bigger and play so much different. Playing him what, three times a year, that was different. But it’s kind of fun having him back around.”
Aldridge plans to shoot 3-pointers more frequently this season, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. It was a weapon he used a lot in Portland, but nearly abandoned last year. Aldridge shot 16 3-pointers during the season and missed all of them. “Pop, after last season, told me to get back with it, so I’ll start taking that shot more this year,” Aldridge said.
Tony Parker‘s role continues to evolve away from scoring and more toward game management, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The 34-year-old averaged just 11.9 points per game last season, the lowest since he was a rookie, and his scoring has dropped each of the past three years. Parker explains that he’s just doing what coach Gregg Popovich is asking of him. “It’s not going to be Tony scoring 20, 25 points every game,” Parker said. “It’s not that way anymore. I have to do it in a different way.”

And-Ones: USA Basketball, Felder, Bentil, Draft

June 6th, 2016 at 3:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Following this morning’s report that Stephen Curry would skip the 2016 Olympics in Brazil for health reasons, the Warriors and Curry issued a statement confirming that decision. And, as ESPN’s Marc Stein tweets, Curry isn’t the only USA Basketball star who won’t be available this summer due to injury. Stein says that Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, John Wall, and LaMarcus Aldridge, who is dealing with a recent finger/hand injury (Twitter link), also won’t be a part of Team USA’s roster.

As we wait to see which other players may drop out of the 2016 Olympics due to health or safety concerns, let’s round up some odds and ends from around the NBA…

Former Oakland University point guard Kay Felder is working out for the Lakers today, and has a workout with the Pistons lined up for next Wednesday, tweets Vincent Ellis of The Detroit Free Press.
Former Providence forward Ben Bentil will work out for the Magic this Friday after having worked out for the Hawks and Bulls, a source tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon and Louisville’s Chinanu Onuaku are among the draft prospects whom Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com views as potential second-round steals later this month. Vecenie also identifies three other players who fit that bill.
Former Michigan State forward Deyonta Davis has hired BDA Sports for representation, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Hoops Rumors readers voted on Sunday to send Davis to Chicago with the 14th overall pick in our community mock draft.
In other player representation news, Serbian bigs Miroslav Raduljica and Ognjen Kuzmic have hired agent Chris Patrick of Relativity Sports for representation, per HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Western Notes: Durant, Popovich, Aldridge, Kerr

May 1st, 2016 at 9:46am CST by Arthur Hill

The Thunder‘s horrible performance in Game 1 of the Western semifinals could lead to an even worse result this summer, writes Buck Harvey of The San Antonio Express-News. The 32-point blowout capped a day that began for Oklahoma City with impending free agent Kevin Durant showering praise on San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, calling him the reason the Spurs have been successful for so long. Durant added another comment that raised suspicions that he is ready to move on from Oklahoma City. “Having a very good coach is probably the most important thing in this league,” Durant said. “You can have all the great players you want, but you have to have somebody to orchestrate it. That’s what they have. They have great players, but they also have a great coach to put them in position to utilize all their strength as individuals and make it come together as a team.” Harvey writes that it’s now up to first-year Thunder coach Billy Donovan to convince Durant that he can win a title in Oklahoma City.

There’s more from the Western Conference:

The Spurs didn’t use an elaborate presentation to land LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency last summer, tweets Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman. Aldridge was one of the difference makers Saturday, scoring 38 points as San Antonio pulled away early. “We didn’t give him a sales pitch,” Popovich said after Game 1. “We met with him. LaMarcus is a grown man. He makes his decisions based on facts that are important to him and his future, and he doesn’t need candles and cakes and all that sort of thing to try to convince him. That would be a little silly I think.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said “it was just a matter of time” until assistant Luke Walton found a head coaching job, relays Tim Kawakami of The Bay Area News Group. Kerr said he knew Walton interviewed with the Lakers on Thursday, but he expected the hiring process to take longer than it did. “When we put our staff together last year, I kind of figured [Pelicans coach] Alvin [Gentry] would be gone pretty quickly,” Kerr said. “I didn’t think Luke would be gone this fast. So ‘disappointed’ is not the right word, because I’m thrilled for him. Sad is probably the more appropriate term. He’s a huge part of our culture and so much fun to be around.”