After years of solid basketball with the Memphis Grizzlies, Santi Aldama is ready to take his first steps as a Dallas Mavericks player, the franchise he joined in a trade in early July.
The Spanish forward has recovered from the spring knee surgery he underwent due to a right knee injury, and the Texas franchise has listed him as questionable for the late-night game that, in the early hours, they are scheduled to play against the San Antonio Spurs.
For the Canarian, this is a pivotal moment in his career. It is true that with the Grizzlies he established himself as a key piece to the point of signing in 2025 a three-year, $52.5 million extension; however, this is the moment when he is part of a project that carries high expectations.
With Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg as teammates, Santi must contribute so that a team that started the 2026-27 NBA season well—4-3—can at least maintain that pace to be in the playoff race. How much he will play? That is known only to his coach, Dusty May.
Santi Aldama, a steady presence in the NBA
That is the reality for the Spanish player. Gaining more prominence with the Grizzlies, Aldama closed the last season with an average of 14 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists, also shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc. In total he already has 278 regular-season games and 10 playoff games. No, he is not a rookie and he must prove that he can be important on a good team.
