Mavericks to Work Out Veteran Forward LaMarcus Aldridge, per Report

Dallas appears to be exploring a possible addition to its frontcourt down the stretch.

The Mavericks are working out veteran forward LaMarcus Aldridge on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, signaling that the franchise is exploring a late-season addition to its frontcourt for the stretch run.

Aldridge, 37, last played for the Nets during the 2021–22 season but went unsigned during free agency last summer. Wojnarowski reports that the seven-time All-Star has been preparing to return to the court for what would be his 17th season in the league. 

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Aldridge briefly retired earlier in 2021 after he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, but later reversed course and joined Brooklyn on a one-year deal. He averaged 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 55% shooting in 47 games during the regular season but did not appear in any of the team’s four first-round playoff games against the Celtics. 

The best days of Aldridge’s career are in the past when he earned seven All-Star nods between 2012 and ’19. However, he’s shown an ability to space the floor and could provide a fairly sparse Mavericks frontcourt with a veteran presence as the team eyes a deep postseason run. Dallas (31–28) is currently tied for fifth in the Western Conference with 23 regular season games remaining.