5 Young players the Grizzlies should develop, 3 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
Develop: Santi Aldama
Aldama was the final pick of the first round in the 2021 NBA Draft, and he played the majority of his minutes in the G League as a rookie. The 22-year-old took a significant step forward in year two, including being the starter to open the season with Jaren Jackson Jr. on the shelf.
The 6’11 big man looks ready to be a rotation piece for the next decade-plus. He improved his shooting and defense in year two, and the 22-year-old should continue getting better. Aldama will not become a star, but he could blossom into a starter and key contributor in his prime.
Expect Santi Aldama to continue working on his jumper, playmaking, and defense this summer. Can he take another significant step forward in year three? The franchise is hopeful, and fans should be excited. Last year’s jump could be just the beginning for the 22-year-old big man.
The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the best young cores in the NBA, and they must focus on developing the right players to maximize their potential. They have already turned Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane into stars. What can their development staff do next? Stay tuned to find out.
