San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t leaving any time soon

San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge has told the media that he wants to return to Portland, but Spurs fans shouldn’t fret about losing their stud big man.

Many San Antonio Spurs fans were thrown into a tizzy when an article by The Athletic’s Jason Quick dove into the relationship between Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The part of the article that drew headlines was a quote from Aldridge saying he definitely wants to return to Portland before his playing days are over.

Jason Quick explains through quotes from Lillard and Aldridge that they had a disconnect in Portland, but neither of them felt like there was true animosity directed towards one another.

Dame blamed it on him being young along with a lack of communication, and LaMarcus felt there were outside forces driving a wedge between the two.

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Jamal Crawford had a relationship with both players and brought the two back together in 2016.

Since then, Lillard and Aldridge have become closer than ever before and they have discussed a possible reunion in Portland on many occasions.

Fortunately for the Spurs, that reunion isn’t happening any time soon.

After a rough start to his tenure with the Spurs, a legendary meeting between LaMarcus and Gregg Popovich over some wine cleared the air after Aldridge was unhappy with his situation in San Antonio.

Dylan Carter recently wrote about how Aldridge has stepped into the void left by Tim Duncan, and Pop has been effusive in his praise of LaMarcus’ effort on the court and his leadership off the court over the past couple of years.

Aldridge has continued to play at an All-Star level as he heads into his mid-30’s, and he was rewarded with a contract extension that will keep him in San Antonio through the 2020-21 season.

While LaMarcus’ dream of ending his career in Portland could be a little concerning to Spurs fans at face value, I believe Aldridge is happy in San Antonio and will play out the rest of his contract with the team.

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If Aldridge wants to rejoin the Blazers in his late-30’s after his game has begun to decline, that will be his choice when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2021.

For now, LaMarcus is focused on leading the Spurs to success in this new era in San Antonio and I expect him to continue to play at a high level during the duration of his new contract extension.