5 Young players the Grizzlies should develop, 1 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
Develop: Santi Aldama
The 6’11 big man keeps improving. He averaged 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game last season, which were all career-highs. Aldama has shot 35.1 percent over 570 3-point attempts in the last two years. Having a young five capable of stretching the floor is desirable for any franchise.
Aldama is set to make $3.9 million in the 2024-25 season before becoming a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies took him with the final pick in the first round in 2021, and the 23-year-old is extension-eligible heading into the regular season. Memphis should try to lock him up long-term, but only if the two sides can agree on a reasonable contract.
There will certainly be minutes available this season. Aldama and rookie Zach Edey are the only two primary centers on the Grizzlies roster. The two-time college player of the year is NBA-ready, but contenders do not often rely heavily on rookies. Aldama gives them a fourth-year big man to turn to when searching for more experience and versatility.
Aldama turns 24 in January and has been in the Memphis Grizzlies rotation for two years already. The franchise should prioritize his development and may have its center tandem of the present and future in-house.