Dallas Mavericks Acquire Santi Aldama From Memphis Grizzlies

According to reports from both Shams Charania and Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have made a trade for Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama. Dallas sends a top-20 protected Golden State Warriors first-round pick and a pair of future second-round picks. The Mavericks will absorb Aldama’s $17 million salary by way of the $20 million trade exception created when Dallas traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards earlier this year. Dallas is also sending AJ Johnson to Memphis.

The 7 foot tall, 215 pound power forward was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021. During his five seasons, he’s played 278 regular season games, averaging 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists. While he played just 43 games last season, sitting the rest of the regular season following a knee procedure, he averaged career highs, scoring 14, grabbing nearly seven rebounds, and dishing just under three assists per game in nearly 28 minutes per game.

Aldama is an average three-point shooter, hitting just under 35% from distance in his career. But he’s also a willing one, taking around five per game last season. Though it’s unclear at the moment how exactly he fits into the Dallas roster, the Mavericks will be playing at a faster pace next season according to new head coach Dusty May, so it stands to reason they’ll be letting shots fly too.

Locked in Maverick fans may remember him from a scuffle with Cooper Flagg following an Aldama trip.

Dallas does have a bit of a forward logjam at the moment, so one has to wonder what other moves are coming next, if any. At least potential new guard Sergio De Larrea with a fellow Spaniard on the team. The two have been at camp together for the Spanish National team but I do not think they’ve played on it in any major tournaments, perhaps just a friendly match or two. Either way, there is familiarity there.

Johnson leaves Dallas without making much of an impression, playing in 23 games last year while shooting a dismal 32% from the floor. After just 2 seasons and 77 total NBA games, I am fairly certain he is not a NBA player and would be surprised if he’s on any roster next season.

Overall, without knowing about any future moves, this one seems solid. Aldama has a team option next year, and considering he’s just 25 years old, this seems like a low-risk roster move with plenty of potential upside.