LaMarcus Aldridge Signs Extension

LaMarcus Aldridge, the up and coming power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, has agreed to a five-year extension to stay with the Blazers. The deal is believed to be worth in the neighborhood of $65 million.

While the negotiations between Aldridge and the Blazers weren’t always smooth, both sides have to be happy that a deal was struck. For Portland, they have one of the better young bigmen in the NBA locked in for his prime.

Last season, Aldridge averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and one block per game. He shot 48.4% from the field and 78.1% from the free throw line. The 24-year-old from the University of Texas is an above average shooter who is learning to improve his play closer to the bucket.

Earlier in the offseason, the Blazers signed Brandon Roy to a contract worth about $80 million. The team now has a core of young players it can build around. The playoffs appear to be a certainty this year — the question is whether the Blazers can get out of the first round.

LaMarcus Aldridge - Portland Trail Blazers (Image: Zuma Press)