After retiring with heart concerns five months ago, seven-set All-Star striker LaMarcus Aldridge returns to the Brooklyn Nets with a $ 2.6 million one-year deal, ESPN said Friday. agent, Jeff Schwartz, of Sports Sports.
Aldridge, 36, has been medically licensed by several doctors, including independents and Nets affiliates, to return to his 16th season, Schwartz told ESPN.
“I retired in April in accordance with what I believed was the most prudent precautionary decision for my personal health at the time, but subsequent tests and assessments by several top doctors have convinced doctors, me and the Networks, that I am fully authorized and able to return to the rigors of the NBA, “Aldridge told ESPN in a statement. “I loved my brief time with Brooklyn and I’m excited to be part of the team again looking for a championship.”
The Nets have a deep rotation of former front-line players, including Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap.
ESPN reported on Aug. 4 that Aldridge was considering returning, and his talks about the return focused primarily on the Nets. Aldridge played five games with Brooklyn last season after agreeing to buy a contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
Aldridge experienced an irregular heartbeat during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in April, and this soon led to the decision to announce his retirement.
“For 15 years I put basketball first,” Aldridge wrote on Twitter at the time. “And now, it’s time to put my health and my family first.”
Aldridge signed with the Nets on March 28 after agreeing a deal with the Spurs, with whom he had spent the previous 5½ seasons. He played the first nine years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
In his career he has averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.