LaMarcus Aldridge, Spurs having extension talks

San Antonio is holding talks with the 32-year-old LaMarcus Aldridhe on a contract extension.

The San Antonio Spurs and LaMarcus Aldridge are discussing a contract extension. Aldridge is heading into his third season on the Riverwalk and his 12th overall. In any case, he’s been inconsistent in San Antonio. However, Gregg Popovich obviously values his experienced power forward.

Aldridge’s transition from Portland to San Antonio has not been easy. He went from being a key player in Portland with Damian Lillard, to playing a more team-oriented offense in San Antonio alongside Kawhi Leonard and company. During his first season in Texas, his minutes decreased significantly.

But things look to be heading in the right direction once again with the Spurs’ Aldridge experiment. Despite a mediocre outing in last season’s playoffs, especially in Leonard’s absence. Popovich still remains positive it’s in the organization’s best interest to keep Aldridge around.

He averaged 17.3 points per game last season, his lowest total since his rookie season. In addition, he missed the All-Star team for the first time since 2011. But the potential and room for improvement is certainly there. Aldridge has shown glimpses of his vintage self with the Spurs, his problem is consistency and leadership. He’s begun to address both of those in training camp thus far. If Aldridge’s old self can show up to each and every game, the Spurs would be even more lethal.

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Furthermore, Aldridge can become a free agent following this season, for the 2018-19 season, via an opt-out. His current contract has $21.4 million remaining and could be boosted to $22 million if he were to sign an extension prior to midnight, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Aldridge’s extension with the Spurs would be a three-year contract extension. The deal must be signed before the veteran’s extension deadline, which is Monday.