LaMarcus Aldridge “Seriously Considering” NBA Return

LaMarcus Aldridge is “seriously considering” a return to the NBA after retiring in the middle of last season due to an ongoing heart condition. The report comes from Adrian Wojnarowski, who tweeted the news this afternoon, citing ESPN sources.

Per Woj:

After medical consultation, seven-time All-Star F LaMarcus Aldridge is seriously considering a return to the NBA this season. Aldridge retired with Brooklyn in mid-April with heart concerns, but is exploring the possibility of resuming his 15-year career.

Aldridge ultimately needs team medical clearance to sign a contract to play and is expected to have conversations with individual teams in the coming weeks, per sources. Aldridge has yet to make a final decision on playing again.

Aldridge retired on April 15th, 2021 while a member of the Brooklyn Nets. He had joined the Nets after negotiating a buy-out with the San Antonio Spurs, for whom he played for six seasons. An irregular heartbeat, linked with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, caused his departure. He termed the incident one of the “scariest things” he had experienced.

Aldridge was diagnosed with the condition in 2007, during his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers acquired him on draft night in 2006 after he was selected second overall by the Chicago Bulls.

Aldridge spent his first nine seasons with the Blazers before signing with the Spurs in free agency in the Summer of 2015. He was nominated to 7 All-Star teams during his 15-year career with cumulative stats of 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in 1029 NBA appearances.

The 6’11 center is now 36 years old.