Highly sought after free agent power forward LaMarcus Aldridge recently agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year, $80 million deal, and now that the NBA’s free agency moratorium has concluded, he’ll soon officially ink the deal and the Spurs will hold an introductory press conference for their new star.
So what number will Aldridge sport in San Antonio? Aldridge rocked No. 12 during his nine-year tenure in Portland, but the Spurs retired 12 for Bruce Bowen several years ago, so one would believe that Aldridge would have to pick a new digit for his jersey right? According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, that’s wrong.
With the blessing of its previous owner, Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 is coming out of retirement so that the Spurs’ latest All-Star addition can don his preferred digits.
“You want LaMarcus to feel part of the family,” Bowen told the Express-News. “If I can have a hand in that, shoot, why not? I don’t play anymore.”
“I hope it helps (Aldridge) feel comfortable,” Bowen said. “If he’s comfortable, the sky’s the limit for him here. It’s one less thing he has to worry about.”
Bowen, who played for the Spurs from 2001-09, captured three championships with San Antonio and was named to eight All-NBA Defensive Teams during his stint. Bowen could’ve kept his jersey hanging in the rafters, but again the Spurs selflessness comes to the forefront. Aldridge is probably loving San Antonio already.
