San Antonio Spurs recruit LaMarcus Aldridge denied guard Damian Lillard was the reason why he left the Portland Trail Blazers.

Texas native and coveted NBA free agent Aldridge took up a max deal worth $80million over four seasons with the Spurs earlier in July.

Following his switch to San Antonio, reports emerged that four-time All-Star Aldridge ended his nine-year stay in Portland because of his resentment toward Lillard.

Aldridge apparently struggled to deal with Lillard's growing profile in the league but the former denied those rumours in an interview with ESPN Radio's The Russillo Show on Monday.

"We have no issue with each other, no animosity," Aldridge insisted.

"We got along very well during the season. I thought we played well off of each other. So, all of that stuff is just rumours that I've dealt with before. Me leaving had nothing to do with any of that.

"It was just me feeling like being close to home, by my family, being able to see them more and just a change of scenery. I had been in Portland for nine years. I had been through a couple of rebuilds. So it was just time to try something new. It wasn't anything toward Damian or the organisation."

Aldridge averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in nine seasons with the Trail Blazers.

He has averaged a double-double with at least 23 points and 10 rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons.

Those are impressive numbers for a player who helped improve the Trail Blazers' standing in the league, but Aldridge is not expecting a warm reception when he returns to Portland in 2015-16.

"Portland holds a part of my heart that can't be changed," Aldridge said. "Those are memories that will last forever.

"I think that city embraced me, and I embraced them. We grew together. We went from a team that [was] called the 'Jail Blazers' to actually being a team that everybody loved, and a team that everybody wanted to cheer for. So we had a great transition period together that I think both parties enjoyed.

"I think going back [to Portland] my first time might be boos because I think people are really hurt by my decision. They don't understand why I left. So I think my first game back, I probably will be booed."