LaMarcus Aldridge is among the many influential stars of the game who aren’t spoken about enough. After an illustrious NBA career, Aldridge will be eligible for Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2026. But does he have the necessary achievements for candidacy?
Aldridge’s professional career began in 2006, when he was selected with the second overall pick in the draft by the Chicago Bulls. But his career trajectory was immediately altered, as he was traded on draft night, eventually leading to him joining the Portland Trail Blazers.
In his rookie season, Aldridge showed a lot of potential, finishing seventh in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.
Although this impeded his performance, even requiring surgery, the big man bounced back with a solid showing in his sophomore year, as he averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
With the Trail Blazers, Aldridge grew in stature, establishing himself as a household name. In the 2010-11 season, he earned All-NBA honors, as he averaged 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, showcasing sustained brilliance.
The 2011-12 season was when Aldridge had his first breakthrough. As a core member of the Blazers’ rotation and a franchise player in every sense, Aldridge earned his first All-Star selection, ushering in the beginning of his prime as a perennial All-Star.
Aldridge was a remarkable player in his prime. As a big man with impeccable technique, he quickly carved out a space for himself as an offensive threat. Although he wasn’t necessarily the most athletic, he was lethal in the midrange.
With a sweet, high-arcing jumper, Aldridge implemented a variety of moves to create opportunities for himself in the low post. In many ways, he was among the last of a dying breed of big men.
Aldridge’s sustained efficiency on offense saw him lead the league in midrange shots attempted from the 2012-13 season to the 2014-15 season. Coincidentally, this was also the time when he found himself in the MVP discussion and helped transform Portland into a consistent playoff team.
Aldridge’s 2014-15 campaign could be considered his peak, as he recorded an average of 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks a game, on shooting splits of 46.6% from the field, 35.2% from three-point range, and 84.5% from the charity stripe.
Surprisingly, this was also his final year with the Blazers, as he parted ways with the team to join the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. He signed a four-year max contract with the Spurs, setting off on a new journey.
With San Antonio, Aldridge joined an institution that was known for its success in molding talented big men. Paired with Spurs legend Tim Duncan for the final season of his career, the big man was viewed as the heir to Duncan’s legacy.
With 67 wins in the regular season that year, the Spurs were humming. But they were unfortunately overshadowed by the Golden State Warriors‘ historic 73-win season.
After Duncan’s retirement, Aldridge became the star big man. Although the 2016-17 campaign wasn’t a great one for him, he made a resurgence in the 2017-18 season, notching an average of 23.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, even earning an All-Star nod and finishing ninth in MVP voting.
As impressive as this season was, it also marked the last time Aldridge would be at his peak. At 32 years old, the big man began declining, eventually parting ways with the Spurs after being bought out in the 2020-21 season.
By the time Aldridge joined the Brooklyn Nets, he had become a role player, effectively fortifying the frontcourt bench rotation. On a stacked roster featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, Aldridge acted as the seasoned veteran of the team, providing valuable minutes off the bench.
The Nets were plagued by injuries during this period, and Aldridge wasn’t exempt. After a resurgence of his health issues, an irregular heartbeat episode led to his first retirement after suiting up for five games with the team.
Although he returned for the 2021-22 campaign, appearing in 47 games, he wasn’t making as much of an impact for the team. He ended the season with an average of 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, while still shooting an efficient 55.0% from the field. He would go on to retire the following year in March 2023.
For his career, Aldridge recorded an average of 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds, on shooting splits of 49.3% from the field, 32.0% from three-point range, and 81.3% from the free-throw line.
From a statistical point of view, Aldridge certainly deserves a place in the Hall of Fame. When additionally factoring in his achievements, with seven All-Star selections and five All-NBA selections, he also has a solid case for enshrinement.
The lack of championship success may be viewed as a valid argument to deny his candidacy. But considering individual skill and performance, there are very few people who were as effective with the ball in their hands as LaMarcus Aldridge.
