The Brooklyn Nets are apparently getting another reinforcement in their frontcourt mix.
Forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge is signing with the Nets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski – who confirmed the signing with Aldridge’s agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Basketball.
Per fellow insider Shams Charania, the deal is a one-year pact for the league minimum.
Aldridge, now 35, was bought out by the Spurs this week after averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 21 contests this season. Over 15 seasons between Portland and San Antonio, Aldridge has averaged 19.4 points and 8.3 boards per game.
While no longer the player he once was, Aldridge is still a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. Woj reports that Aldridge will likely see most of his time at center, challenging DeAndre Jordan and the emerging Nic Claxton for playing time.
For the Nets, it’s their third major in-season addition and second in the frontcourt, as they of course acquired James Harden from Houston earlier this year and then signed Blake Griffin – who was bought out by Detroit earlier this month – during the All-Star break.
Brooklyn’s frontcourt, which was heavily depleted by the Harden trade, now includes Aldridge, Jordan, Claxton, Griffin, and Jeff Green, a strong quintet that will hopefully also get Kevin Durant back soon from his hamstring injury.
“The buyout market, that is one of the reasons we want to remain flexible in my eyes to see how we can improve our team,” head coach Steve Nash said just after the trade deadline. “Maybe there are some teams that are set. But for us, especially with the roster changed after the big trade, we have to remain flexible in order to keep our options open.”
Brooklyn can still add more, as they have not yet used their mid-level taxpayer exception, nor their $5.9 million disabled player exemption – which they got for Spencer Dinwiddie, and then kept by not dealing Dinwiddie at the deadline.
The Nets currently have one open roster spot to add Aldridge ASAP, and if they choose to make further additions, a second will open when Alize Johnson’s 10-day contract expires on Wednesday.
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