Grizzlies Trade Santi Aldama to Mavericks in Latest Roster Overhaul
The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade forward Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports. The deal, confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania on July 1, sends the 24-year-old Spanish big man to Dallas in exchange for guard AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick originally owned by the Golden State Warriors, and two future second-round picks. The Mavericks are also reportedly acquiring the draft rights to forward Tarik Biberovic, the 56th overall pick in the 2023 draft.
The trade comes just hours after Memphis finalized a blockbuster deal sending superstar Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Together, the two moves represent an aggressive pivot for a franchise that has decisively closed the chapter on its recent competitive era.
What Aldama Brings to Dallas
Aldama, a 7-footer selected 30th overall in the 2021 draft, is coming off a career-best season. In 2025-26, he averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field. He flourished in Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo’s pace-and-space offense, emerging as a floor-spacing big who could also create off the dribble. However, his season was cut short after undergoing a season-ending procedure on his right knee in March, limiting him to 43 games.
For Dallas, Aldama provides immediate frontcourt flexibility. He can play alongside a traditional center or function as a stretch five, offering shooting and playmaking that should mesh well with the Mavericks’ offensive structure. With Dallas looking to build a new core, Aldama’s age and skill set make him a valuable long-term piece. He is entering the second year of a three-year, $52.5 million contract signed in 2025, a deal widely considered team-friendly given his production.
Memphis’ New Direction
For the Grizzlies, moving Aldama is not merely a salary dump. It is a continuation of a sweeping roster transformation under General Manager Zach Klieman and the new front office. The franchise has now traded its two most recognizable players — Morant and the last remaining member of the 2022-23 Grizzlies roster — within a single day.
In return, Memphis adds a young wing in AJ Johnson, the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft. Johnson, 21, is already on his fourth NBA team, having been traded multiple times since being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. He landed in Dallas in February as part of a three-team deal that sent Anthony Davis to Washington. Johnson has yet to carve out a consistent role in the league, but he brings upside as a combo guard with length and athleticism.
The draft capital is equally significant. The protected 2030 first-round pick from Golden State could become valuable if the Warriors enter a rebuilding phase later this decade, while the two second-round selections give Memphis additional ammunition to continue reshaping its roster. The Grizzlies currently have 20 players under contract and must trim to 15 before the start of the season, meaning more moves are likely.
The End of an Era
Aldama was the last player remaining from the Grizzlies’ 2022-23 team that posted a 51-31 record and reached the second round of the playoffs. That squad — built around Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Dillon Brooks — was expected to contend for years. But injuries, off-court issues, and a series of front-office changes unraveled that vision.
Morant’s trade ended a turbulent tenure marked by two All-Star appearances and repeated suspensions. Bane was dealt earlier in the offseason, with Memphis acquiring Cedric Coward and additional draft capital in that transaction. Now, with Aldama gone, the franchise is fully transitioned to a core led by 2025 first overall pick Cameron Boozer, Coward, and center Zach Edey.
What This Changes
The Aldama trade underscores a broader trend in the NBA: teams are increasingly willing to move young, productive players on manageable contracts if they do not fit a specific timeline or identity. Memphis could have kept Aldama as a versatile rotation piece, but the front office determined that his defensive limitations and rebounding deficiencies did not align with the gritty, physical style the team wants to play.
For the Mavericks, the acquisition signals a commitment to building around a new core without sacrificing future flexibility. Dallas has been active in the trade market in recent years, and adding a skilled big man like Aldama without giving up a first-round pick that could convey soon is a smart, low-risk move. It also gives the Mavericks a potential long-term partner for their emerging stars.
The deal further illustrates how the NBA’s trade landscape has evolved. Second-round picks and protected first-rounders have become increasingly valuable as teams seek to manage the luxury tax and maintain cap flexibility. Aldama’s contract, while reasonable, was not untouchable; Memphis likely saw an opportunity to accumulate assets while clearing a path for its younger players.
As the league’s free agency period heats up, more moves are expected across the league. The Grizzlies appear far from done reshaping their roster, while the Mavericks have added a piece that could help them climb the Western Conference standings. For Aldama, the move to Dallas represents a fresh start and a chance to prove his worth on a team that values his unique skill set.
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