A new trail

LaMarcus Aldridge got the answers he needed from the San Antonio Spurs. And the Spurs apparently got the answer they wanted. Ending a frantic few days of courtship – and perhaps cementing the Spurs as the preseason favourites to win yet another NBA title – Aldridge announced Saturday he will sign with San Antonio and align with Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard to form what would figure to be among the league’s most-formidable frontcourts. Aldridge met with several teams, all who were offering what the Spurs did: $80 million for four years. Aldridge averaged a career-high 23.4 points and also grabbed 10.2 rebounds per game while playing with an injured thumb last season for the Blazers.