The Nets signed LaMarcus Aldridge less than three weeks ago to bolster their frontcourt and prep for their title run, but to preserve his health, Aldridge shockingly announced his retirement on Thursday morning.
Posting a message on his Twitter account, Aldridge revealed that he played his last game, a loss to the Lakers on April 10, with an irregular heartbeat, which worsened after the game, and after a visit to the hospital, he made the decision to call it a career after 15 seasons.
“I told the team what was going on and they were great getting me to the hospital and getting me checked out,” Aldridge said in his Twitter post. “Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. With that being said, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA.”
Aldridge signed with the Nets last month after agreeing to a buyout with the Spurs, and appeared in five games, averaging 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. He dropped 22 points in a win over the Pelicans on April 7, then scored 12 in just under 23 minutes the following game against the Lakers, now the final game of his career. He was inactive for Brooklyn’s last two games.
Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star, retires with a career average of 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
“Last but not least, I want to thank Brooklyn,” Aldridge said. “You wanted me for me. In a game that’s changing so much, you asked me to come and just do what I do, which was good to hear. I’m sorry it didn’t get to last long, but I’ve definitely had fun being a part of this special group.”
Per former NBA and Nets executive Bobby Marks, the Nets will place Aldridge on waivers as a formality, a procedure which will open up Aldridge’s roster spot.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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