Proposed Santi Aldama trade idea could net Grizzlies 2024 first-round pick

In a season filled with constant shakeups and curveballs, one member of the Memphis Grizzlies proved to be a consistent presence within the rotation.

Third-year tweener big Santi Aldama suited up for 61 contests throughout the 2023-24 campaign, making him one of only two players (Jaren Jackson Jr.) to log minutes on 60 or more occasions.

The 23-year-old went on to post arguably his best season yet in the association, putting up impressive per-game averages of 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and just shy of a block while shooting 34.9 percent from deep.

With his skill set coupled with his 7-foot stature, Aldama has proven himself to be a brand of player that any team would love to have within their arsenal, and, recently, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report floated the idea out there that he could be a hot trade commodity this summer and that the title-hopeful Boston Celtics should be interested in pursuing his services.

Grizzlies big Santi Aldama tabbed as trade target for Celtics

Though they may be the league's top squad in both the record and, frankly, on court production departments, even Boston could use for a bit more firepower within their arsenal.

Favale believes frontcourt depth could be the area Brad Stevens and company should look to address this offseason, and suggest that pursuing the affordably priced Grizzlies big could help the cash-strapped C's in a multitude of ways.

"He will make a hair less than Springer, and Boston could use a combo big to back up—and serve as insurances against injuries to—Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.

Aldama will cost more in total assets than Xavier Tillman (a free agent this summer). That's fine. Boston has an armory of seconds, not to mention some firsts, it can dangle. His prospective fit is good enough to contemplate giving up No. 30 as part of any package, even as he enters a contract year. Aldama is pretty good at positioning himself in the right spots on defense, his three-point clip will tick up above 35 percent on the Celtics, and he has some shiftiness to him off the dribble."

- Dan Favale

A shifty big who can log minutes at either the four or five, it's no wonder why a guy like Aldama would be tabbed as a possible trade target for the Celtics who, with both age (Al Horford is 37) and health (Kristaps Porzings has a long-standing injury track record) concerns, have some serious question marks down in their frontcourt rotation.

Of course, the Grizzlies also have their fair share of issues in the big man department, as they only have two full-scale players (Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr.) who measure in above 6-foot-9 and currently have severely lacking depth at their pivot position following the mid-season trades of both Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman, the latter of whom, ironically, was dealt to Boston.

Considering his positional flexibility, production, and the fact that he's still attached to his rookie-scale deal for another year, it seems unlikely that Memphis would be pushing hard at selling off the likes of Aldama any time soon.

Of course, following their lackluster 27-55 finish in 2023-24, it is rather evident that the ball club could use for some adjustments in order to get back into the title contender conversation come next year, and, contingent on the offer in exchange for his services, Zach Kleiman and company may view shopping the big as an opportunity to strengthen their odds of doing so.