Popovich says Spurs, Aldridge have mutually agreed to end relationship
The San Antonio Spurs will seek outside opportunities for veteran big man LaMarcus Aldridge, head coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday.
"We've mutually agreed for him to work on some opportunities elsewhere," Popovich said, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
San Antonio is confident that the franchise will find a trade partner for Aldridge, and there is no movement toward a contract buyout, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
"He's been a great teammate," Popovich added, according to The Associated Press. "He’s done everything we've asked. And at this point, we'd just like to do something that will work for him as much as for our club because he deserves that."
Popovich made the remarks before the Spurs' game against the Dallas Mavericks. Aldridge did not play in San Antonio's previous two games.
The 35-year-old Aldridge was shifted to the bench last month after starting every NBA game he's played in since 2007. The seven-time All-Star has had issues fitting in with the Spurs' attack the last few campaigns and is currently averaging 13.7 points per game - the second-lowest of his 15-year career.
Aldridge is on an expiring contract worth $24 million this season.