July 4, 2015 update: LaMarcus Aldridge will sign with Spurs

LaMarcus Aldridge has decided he wants to finish his career with the Trail Blazers. But he will delay that commitment for one summer.

Aldridge on Tuesday told The Oregonian he has opted to postpone signing a contract extension with the Blazers until next summer, when he can sign for more years and significantly more money.

The three-time All-Star made it clear his decision had nothing to do with his commitment to the franchise or his happiness in Portland. Quite simply, he said, it was a business move.

"I'm happy to stay, happy to be here, happy with the direction the team has gone the last year or two," Aldridge told The Oregonian in a phone interview. "This has no impact on my interest in staying in Portland. I just want to get a five-year deal. I feel like that's the best decision on my part."

Last month, owner Paul Allen and general manager Neil Olshey traveled to Los Angeles to reaffirm their commitment to the franchise cornerstone and recruit him to stay in Portland long term, presenting two scenarios allowed under the NBA collective bargaining agreement to make that happen.

In the first scenario, Aldridge -- who is entering the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract -- could sign an extension this offseason worth $55 million over three years. In another, he could wait until next summer and sign a five-year, $108 million maximum extension that could keep in Portland through the 2019-20 season.

After mulling the offers over for a couple weeks, Aldridge decided it made the most sense to wait until next summer.

"I don't want it to be perceived that I'm not happy or I'm not staying on because I'm not signing a three-year deal," Aldridge said. "It's just financially smarter to wait ... and I'm looking forward to signing the five-year deal when the chance comes."

Aldridge said he was moved by the visit from Olshey and Allen last month, a gesture that only increased his desire to stay in Portland. During the meeting, Olshey and Allen praised Aldridge for his growth as a player and a person during his eight seasons in Portland and said they were eager to reward him with the maximum contract offer they felt he deserved.

The visit from Allen -- who told Aldridge he wanted him to finish his career with the Blazers -- was especially meaningful.

"Paul's never done that," Aldridge said. "I think it showed that they value me being here and they want me to be a part of this organization for as long as I can. They even said: 'For my whole career. A lifetime Blazer.' That meant a lot and it made me feel better about my position in Portland going forward."

But Aldridge's desire to stay extends well beyond recruiting meetings and kind words, and a host of factors have made Portland appealing long term. For starters, the Blazers' recent success -- they won 54 games last season and reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 years -- has satisfied his craving to be part of a winner. After enduring multiple franchise rebuilds, the latest just two years ago, Aldridge did not want to waste his prime years playing for a loser.

Equally important, Aldridge is cognizant of his place in history and cares about his legacy. In an era when superstars switch teams every few years, he wants to be the exception. He wants to be a player who is synonymous with a city, a player who retires as the best in that franchise's history.

Aldridge's name is dotted up and down the Blazers' record books, listed among the leaders in a host of statistical categories. Next season, he conceivably could move into the top five in blocks, free throws, minutes and games played, while also moving past Clyde Drexler to become the Blazers' all-time leading rebounder and moving ahead of Terry Porter into second place in scoring. If Aldridge signs that long-term extension next season, he will set himself up to finish his career as the leader in every major category in Blazers history.

"I want to be the best Blazer -- ever," Aldridge said. "If I stay the rest of my career, I should be able to catch Clyde by then. I should be able to leave a mark on a big-time franchise that is going to be seen forever. And I will be able to say I played here my whole career. This city has embraced me and grown with me. I have so much history, it just makes sense to stay."

Aldridge, 28, is coming off his most productive season of his career, during which he averaged career highs in points (23.2), rebounds (11.1) and assists (2.6) and was named to the all-NBA third team. He was the difference-maker in the Blazers' first-round postseason victory over the Houston Rockets and one of the NBA's best postseason players, averaging 26.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, which ranked fifth and fourth, respectively, in the league.

But ability has rarely been a question surrounding Aldridge, who has blossomed into one of the NBA's best players. It's his happiness that has been a concern. And while the Blazers technically will have to wait a summer to sign Aldridge to an extension, his long-term commitment is important for the stability of the franchise.

"I feel like we're going in the right direction," Aldridge said. "I always wanted to win. And now we're doing that. I don't have any reason to jump ship.

"I've worked very hard (for a maximum extension). I feel like the team values me to that level, I feel like my teammates value me to that level. This is the natural next step."

-- Joe Freeman |@BlazerFreeman