LaMarcus Aldridge shrugs off trade rumors, says he is happy with Spurs

LaMarcus Aldridge has been at the center of trade rumors recently after buzz of his alleged unhappiness in San Antonio came out.

Center/forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been surrounded by trade rumors during the past two days after ESPN columnist Jackie MacMullan made an appearance on CSN New England saying her sources had told her the San Antonio Spurs could trade him at some point this season.

The 6-foot-11 big man appeared on The Jim Rome Show and was quick to dismiss the rumors in nonchalant fashion.

“I didn't buy into it,” said Aldridge. “I haven't heard anything about it. I talked to Pop (head coach Gregg Popovich) daily and he's always telling me that I'm doing great. Trying to be a more of a leader. He's put me in positions where I can be more of a leader. As long as the guys here aren't saying bad things to me. All my teammates have said nothing but great things to me.”

Aldridge made it a point to say he was happy in San Antonio and is paying no mind to the hearsay that's ensnared the organization for the last couple of days.

“Yeah for sure I am (happy in San Antonio),” said Aldridge. “We made history last year. They've incorporated me into the family. Try to make me one of the big pieces. I'm winning. Of course I'm happy. That's why I don't buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I've done everything that they've asked. That's why I haven't bought into the rumors.”

While it seems unlikely that the Spurs would shed a player they just acquired, stranger things have happened. Remember how there were rumors of Kevin Durant joining the Warriors during last year's offseason and how farfetched it sounded for Golden State to give up all of their pieces and for Durant to leave a great, explosive tandem with Russell Westbrook?

Well… that happened.

Truth is, the Western Conference keeps getting more and more competitive every year and teams accustomed to winning titles like the Spurs will not hesitate to move pieces in order to remain a championship contender.

Aldridge is the last of a series of players denying MacMullan's claims about his future, though only the season will tell how this situation really plays out.