Following their disappointing end to the 2024-25 season, the Memphis Grizzlies didn't appear to have the assets to boost their odds of continuing to increase their assets, but were able to retain Santi Aldama without the worry of a lingering restricted free agency.
Memphis kicked off the NBA's offseason festivities by trading Desmond Bane in a deal that netted them a surprising four first-round draft picks for their third star. While that trade added salary to their books with the return of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony too, it allowed them to split Bane's max contract into two while adding to their war chest of future flexibility with the picks.
Their flurry of moves to open the free agency frenzy proved just that as they secured their frontcourt duo of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama. They also added depth to their backcourt by promoting former two-way guard Cam Spencer to the main roster along with their top free agent target Ty Jerome. Santi's re-signing was most surprising by how early they got a deal completed.
Grizzlies avoided an auction for Aldama's services
While all options were on the table with Aldama's restricted free agency, Grizzlies' general manager Zach Kleiman kept making it known that retaining him was a priority of theirs. Getting a deal done with Santi on a yearly average salary of $17.5 million was considered a steal for the Grizzlies and helped them avoid another team offering more for them to have to match.
Sign-and-trade would've likely been on the table if it had gotten to that point but both sides decided it was in their best interest to agree to a deal immediately. Aldama is coming off a career season and is only 24 years old. He has shown growth in each of his four NBA seasons, meaning the Grizzlies couldn't let him walk for nothing.
Also, with the team already facing an injury in their frontcourt to Zach Edey to begin next season, Santi's value to the team increased. While he's not a prototypical big man, he finished second on the team in rebounding last season, and is one of the best shooters on the team at 6'11".
Ensuring they brought him back on an ideal deal was a no-brainer for Zach Kleiman and company. Restricted free agency can be tricky, but Zach Kleiman navigated it to near perfection by not allowing Aldama to fully test the market.