The Grizzlies selected Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez in the first round and then traded for Isaiah Stewart just minutes after selecting Richie Saunders on Day 2. On paper, there is a decent chance that this ends up being Zach Kleiman's best draft since taking over. Unfortunately, for Santi Aldama, the Grizzlies' draft raises valid questions about his future in Memphis.
Santi Aldama is a very solid player despite often being criticized for his physicality and defense. Listed at 7 feet tall and 215 pounds, Aldama brings a unique balanced scoring attack and solid playmaking for his size. Zach Kleiman moved up 10 spots in the 2021 NBA Draft to select Aldama 30th overall, and it is safe to say that the move has paid off.
Santi Aldama has gotten better every season and is one of the more reliable bench scorers throughout the entire league. Aldama was eventually rewarded for his efforts with a three-year $52.5 million deal in the 2025 offseason. Before being shut down for the season for an arthoscopic knee procedure, Aldama was averaging 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, all career highs.
Could Aldama be the odd man out in the frontcourt?
Even though Aldama continues to get better every season, it is still fair to wonder what's next for him after how the Grizzlies' draft played out. With two years left on a very reasonable contract and the fact he brings a rare offensive skillset at 7 feet tall, he would likely have a strong trade market throughout the league if made available.
Now, Aldama staying would not be the end of the world for a rebuilding Grizzlies team. Aldama is still a strong fit in Tuomas Iisalo's offense and brings a scoring boost that the Grizzlies can't go wrong with. It was already expected that Cam Boozer would start alongside Zach Edey right away, but the additions of Karim Lopez and Isaiah Stewart could end Santi Aldama's time in Memphis.
Selecting Karim Lopez 21st overall and then trading for Isaiah Stewart could signal a strong shift from Zach Kleiman towards building a more physical and defensively sound frontcourt. The Grizzlies also still have multiple promising talents in GG Jackson II and Taylor Hendricks. Opting for upside and more physicality could potentially make selling high on Santi Aldama an interesting gamble.
A lot certainly hinges on Karim Lopez developing, but it is fair to question whether or not Santi Aldama's long-term future is in Memphis. It is also important to consider that finding a trade partner for Ja Morant has been a significant struggle and that Aldama could be the most valuable trade asset for the Grizzlies this summer.
This draft is rightfully creating significant buzz within the Grizzlies fanbase. The one downside, though, is that the Grizzlies still face multiple difficult roster decisions, and one of them could be trading Santi Aldama. While Santi Aldama staying would still be a positive outcome for the Grizzlies, it can't fully be ruled out that he has played his last game in Memphis.
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