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Texan Aldridge set to sign with Spurs as free agent
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Forward LaMarcus Aldridge has decided to return to his Texas roots and join the San Antonio Spurs, the free agent announced on his Twitter page on Saturday.
“I’m happy to say I’m going home to Texas and will be a Spur!! I’m excited to join the team and be close to my family and friends,” wrote Aldridge, who grew up in Dallas and played basketball at the University of Texas.
The US media reported that Aldridge, who turns 30 later this month, will sign a four-year deal worth US$80 million.
He spent the first nine years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sports broadcaster ESPN said Aldridge was convinced to join the Spurs after meeting with coach Gregg Popovich, who sold him on the idea of playing alongside all-star forward Tim Duncan.
With Duncan getting ready to wind down his brilliant career Aldridge would give the Spurs a powerful one-two punch along with rising star Kawhi Leonard.
In nine seasons with Portland, Aldridge has played in 648 regular-season games and averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. In 2014-15, he averaged a career-best 23.4 points per game and 10.2 rebounds.
Meanwhile, a day after locking up a pair of guards, the Sacramento Kings invested in their front court.
Center Kosta Koufos agreed to a US$33 million, four-year contract with the Kings on Saturday night, a source said.
Koufos played behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in Memphis the past two seasons. Koufos has career averages of 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in seven seasons. He also has played for Utah, Minnesota and Denver.
The Kings reached agreements with point guard Rajon Rondo and shooting guard Marco Belinelli on Friday. Rondo’s deal is for one year and about US$10 million, and Belinelli’s contract is for US$19 million and three years.
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