San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge is coming off his worst season since 2006 — looking at both his statistics and performance on the court — and yet, for some reason, he was awarded a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension on Monday.
Aldridge averaged only 17.3 points per game — only his rookie season (2006) saw him post a lower number than that — as well as 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Playing in Gregg Popovich’s system, alongside Kawhi Leonard, those are rather pedestrian numbers.
There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Aldridge — who turned 32 over the summer — and where he might end up in the future. Trade rumors were swirling back in June, as Aldridge was reportedly put on the trade block. That didn’t pan out, and he remained with the Spurs. With Aldridge’s contract set to run through next season, many expected the team’s 2017-18 campaign to be a “prove it” year for him, yet for some reason, he was awarded the contract extension.
Twitter had a field day with it. Check out some of the best reactions.
Three more years of LaMarcus Aldridge? I’m so sorry, San Antonio
— Good looking guy 🇵🇸 (@theladinside) October 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/CoachStroud3/status/920099547015270405
https://twitter.com/BlandrewMac/status/920094347948781568
lamarcus aldrige is a washed up fatboy. congrats on getting paid scrub @aldridge_12
— Jabari (@yung_sports) October 16, 2017
I'm here for LaMarcus Aldridge revisionist history and basically nothing else.
— My Full Name: Michael Francis Acker (@mikeacker) October 16, 2017
Coach Pop knew exactly how to bury the LaMarcus Aldridge contract extension headlines. Haha. Just kidding. #inappropriate #GoSpursGo
— Krystal (@Krystalness) October 17, 2017
And the memes did not disappoint, either.
When everyone gets All Star teammates and you're stuck with LaMarcus Aldridge pic.twitter.com/Vs8lP6iGGm
— bronald schwarzenegger jr (@PrimeLBJ) October 16, 2017
@SheaSerrano right now pic.twitter.com/8WYDS3UKmK
— 🔌 (@Hospey) October 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/ProcessedFultz/status/920029893198479360
— Noah (@TheMonsterNoah) October 16, 2017
It was a puzzling move, to say the least. We’ll soon see if it works out.
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