Some interesting news broke on Aug. 4 that could impact the Chicago Bulls this offseason. According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski late in the afternoon of Aug. 4, the former San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is pondering a return to the league following an early retirement due to health issues.
Aldridge had to call it quits down the stretch last season after dealing with reported heart concerns. But he is now anticipated to at least have some conversations with prospective NBA suitors this week to see if a return is something he wants to do. And he would have to medically clear with whichever team signed him.
Last season, Aldridge played in 26 games with the Spurs and five with the Brooklyn Nets before having to call it quits due to heart health issues. Aldridge landed with the Nets following the buyout window, where he officially parted ways with the Spurs.
But Aldridge reportedly (per K.C. Johnson and Bulls Talk from NBC Sports Chicago) had interest from the Bulls to nab him during the buyout window down the stretch last season.
Reported interest could resume between LaMarcus Aldridge and the Chicago Bulls
Before retiring in April due to heart concerns, league chatter existed that the Bulls might pursue LaMarcus Aldridge this offseason.
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) August 4, 2021
Now that he is reportedly mulling a return, could that interest rekindle?https://t.co/eKrSdZjCMz
Once again, there could be an opportunity for executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley to sign the seven-time All-Star selection. But we’re definitely going to see a plethora of other suitors for Aldridge if he does wind up returning to the NBA this summer.
Aldridge was definitely producing at a high enough level to hold a significant role if he does return. In his 26 games played between his time with the Nets and the Spurs last season, Aldridge averaged 13.5 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks. And he shot 47.3 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.2 percent from the free-throw line.
It’s hard to ignore that sort of production. And even if Aldridge was limited to bench minutes with whatever team he lands on next season, he’s definitely worth consideration from almost everyone around the league that isn’t loaded up on big men already.
Originally drafted by the Bulls (but later traded that same night), Aldridge wound up becoming one of the most accomplished power forwards of the 2000s and 2010s individually. The aforementioned seven All-Star selections go along with five All-NBA Team selections and a 2006-07 All-Rookie First-Team selection.
The Bulls had a really busy week in the free agency negotiation window thus far. Some of the big signings included the former New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Alex Caruso, and another former Spur and star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan.