PORTLAND, Ore. � The Portland Trail Blazers are close to signing forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a contract extension, a person close to the situation told The Associated Press.

The five-year deal is expected to be completed within the next two days, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract wasn�t final.
The Blazers need to strike a deal with Aldridge to prevent him from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
Aldridge, the second overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Texas, was acquired by the Blazers in a draft-day trade from the Chicago Bulls. Last season, he averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.
The Blazers were in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.