FILE – LaMarcus Aldridge #21 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP
LaMarcus Aldridge has been medically cleared to return to the NBA, The Athletic reported Thursday.
The 36-year-old announced his retirement from the Brooklyn Nets in mid-April due to heart issues, and the Nets are considered the frontrunner to sign the seven-time All-Star, per the report.
In his retirement announcement, Aldridge said he experienced an irregular heartbeat during a game between the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers on April 10.
The incident occurred during Aldridge’s fifth game with the Nets. He signed with the team as a free agent for the remainder of the 2020-21 season after reaching a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Aldridge has averaged 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds over 1,029 career games (985 starts). He played for the Portland Trail Blazers (2006-15) before signing with the Spurs.
He averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 25.9 minutes in 21 games (18 starts) with San Antonio last season before he and the franchise agreed to a mutual separation.