The 2026 NBA Draft was a pretty strong indicator of what would happen next, but the Grizzlies have now just traded Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick (via GSW), and two future second-round picks. This move shows the confidence the Grizzlies have in a new look frontcourt to start their rebuild.
Santi Aldama has been a consistently solid bench scorer for the Grizzlies since being selected 30th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, after selecting Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez in the first round of this year's draft and trading for Isaiah Stewart right after, Aldama was even more likely to be a part of any efforts to trim the roster.
Aldama had signed a three-year, $52.5 million contract in the 2025 offseason as a result of his offensive growth every season. At 7 feet tall and 215 pounds, Aldama is a solid playmaker for his position and is a capable scorer in many different ways.
The truth is Aldama's contract is team-friendly, and the fact he is still just 25 years old was going to make him an attractive trade asset. Now, the Grizzlies will turn their efforts towards developing Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez into key pieces for the future. They also still have young players such as GG Jackson II and Taylor Hendricks who can fill in at the power forward spot.
AJ Johnson was selected 23rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but already finds himself on his fourth team. However, given the fact the Grizzlies still have some roster spots to clear, it remains to be seen what happens to some newly acquired players such as AJ Johnson and Kris Murray.
Arguably more importantly, the Grizzlies continue to stack draft capital and make a strong commitment to having a much more physical frontcourt. The main core pieces of the Grizzlies' roster still remain very young, but the vision of having a team that is physical and can rebound at a high level is starting to fall into place.
Santi Aldama was a clear development success, but the trade signals the Grizzlies' intent to play a different style of basketball. While young, today shows the faith that the Grizzlies have in players such as Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez to be able to make an immediate impact.
This has already been an eventful Grizzlies offseason, but the early signs are positive to start their rebuild.
Editor's Note: The Dallas Mavericks also acquired the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic. The 2030 Warriors pick is also protected 1-20.
Add us as a preferred source on Google