After a season that saw Santi Aldama average career-highs in points (12.5), rebounds (6.4), assists (2.9), and shooting percentages (48.3 field goal and 36.8% from three), the Grizzlies made it a priority to re-sign their sixth man during the offseason. They re-signed their Aldama almost immediately when free agency began to avoid him entering restricted free agency.
While his defense can be a hindrance to the team at times, his offensive aggression has been needed for a team that is struggling on that end of the court this season. His shot creation is questioned often by the fanbase, but oddly enough, it is needed when the offense is stagnant. He also continues to lead the league's best bench unit at a time when the starters are struggling mightily.
Re-signing Santi is proving to be a sound investment
The Grizzlies needed Santi's production off the bench when the offseason began, but they also needed another contract to be utilized in a trade down the road, potentially. Aldama's average salary of $17.5 million will pay dividends whether the team keeps him as one of their top bench performers or uses him as a chip to bring in a bigger name later.
While Santi has struggled with his shot this season, posting a 43.7/30.0/61.9 shooting split, his added secondary playmaking (2.4 assists) and team-leading rebounding (6.5) keep him productive. Although his defense hasn't gotten much better in one-on-one settings, he has been active with a career-high 1.1 steals per game.
After Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama is probably the next most polarizing player within the Grizzlies' fanbase due to his finesse style of play as a big man on this team. He, too, is mostly a perimeter big man who needs a bruising big next to him like Jaren, so the lack of Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke's availability has hindered his effectiveness as well.
The Grizzlies' update on Clarke's status has him returning in six to nine weeks, while Zach Edey is within his six-to-nine-week returning window at the current moment. Aldama has been a steady presence for the Grizzlies despite his shooting struggles, but that will likely improve as the team gets healthier and its other modern bigs return in the coming weeks.