Aldridge Extension Too Much?

As is his wont, Bill Simmons is already on the record with his displeasure with the Aldridge deal:

Fyi: I wouldn’t give any NBA megaextension except for a Durant type. Market swung too drastically. Aldridge worth 65m 3 yrs ago but not now.

It is a lot of money, especially for a team with such a deep talent pool and with — theoretically, hinging on his health — a potentially game-changing replacement for Aldridge in Greg Oden. Do you really need one when you have the other? But Aldridge has also been productive in his first few years, and his budding ball skills could mean he has major growth ahead of him in the next few years.

Or, with millions in tow, he could spend the next five years playing at 60 percent. Such is the risk of giving young professionals so very much money; some get a taste and want more, and some are happy as soon as they hammer the check.