Spurs' Aldridge named one of Forbes' highest-paid athletes

LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs watches a shot go in during practice. Spurs practice at Spurs Practice facility on Thursday, 5.18,2017 LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs watches a shot go in during practice. Spurs practice at Spurs Practice facility on Thursday, 5.18,2017 Photo: Ronald Cortes Photo: Ronald Cortes Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Spurs' Aldridge named one of Forbes' highest-paid athletes 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

LaMarcus Aldridge raked in more than $22 million in his second season with the Spurs, earning $20.6 million from his contract and an additional $1.5 million through endorsements and sponsorships.

That haul placed the All-Star forward 86th on Forbes' annual catalog of highest-paid athletes, sandwiched between Clippers center DeAndre Jordan ($22.2 million) and Mets infielder Jose Reyes ($22.1 million).

Aldridge, 31, is one of 63 Americans and 32 NBA players on this year's list, which measures earnings over the past 12 months.

Four of the world's highest-paid athletes hail from the NBA: No. 2 LeBron James ($86.2 million), No. 5 Kevin Durant ($60.6 million), No. 8 Stephen Curry ($47.3 million), and No. 9 James Harden ($46.6 million).

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Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list once again, reeling in $93 million.

Aside from the exorbitant paycheck he receives from the Spurs, Aldridge earned extra income working with Nike, Gunn Automotive, HEB Grocery, and Panini.

Aldridge, who agreed to a four-year, $84 million pact in 2015, is set to make $21.4 million from his contract alone during the 2017-18 season. He has a player option for 2018-19 worth $22.3 million.

Though Kawhi Leonard didn't grace this year's list, he'll likely pop up on it within the next few years.

Because Leonard was named to the All-NBA first team in consecutive seasons, he is eligible for the league's designated player veteran extension.

Per a new stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement, Leonard can sign an extension following his seventh season to gain a five-year, $217 million deal starting in 2019-20.

nmoyle@express-news.net

@NRmoyle