Santi Aldama Traded to Dallas Mavericks: Full Breakdown of the Blockbuster Deal

Spanish forward Santi Aldama has officially been traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Dallas Mavericks, ending his five-year stint in Memphis and giving Dallas another versatile frontcourt weapon as they continue reshaping their roster for the future. 

Trade Details

Dallas Mavericks receive:

• Santi Aldama
• Draft rights to Tarik Biberović

Memphis Grizzlies receive:

• AJ Johnson
• 2030 Golden State Warriors first-round pick (Top-20 protected)
• Two future second-round draft picks 

Why Dallas Mavericks Made the Trade

The Mavericks were searching for a skilled forward who can contribute on both ends of the floor, and Aldama fits that profile perfectly.

Standing at 7 feet (2.13 m), Aldama offers:

• Reliable three-point shooting for a big man.
• Strong rebounding ability.
• Excellent passing and basketball IQ.
• Positional versatility, capable of playing both power forward and center.
• The ability to stretch the floor and create matchup problems.

Dallas believes Aldama can immediately strengthen its frontcourt rotation while still having room to develop further at just 25 years old. His combination of size, mobility, and offensive skill makes him one of the league’s most versatile big men. 

Santi Aldama’s Performance with Memphis

Since being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft, Aldama steadily developed into one of Memphis’ most dependable forwards.

During the 2025–26 season, before undergoing knee surgery, he averaged approximately:

• 14.0 points per game
• 7.0 rebounds per game
• 3.0 assists per game

He posted career-best numbers while expanding his offensive game, becoming a consistent perimeter shooter and secondary playmaker. 

Why Memphis Grizzlies Traded Him

The Grizzlies have entered a rebuilding phase after moving several core players. Trading Aldama allows Memphis to:

• Add promising young guard AJ Johnson.
• Acquire valuable future draft assets.
• Create more opportunities for younger forwards already on the roster.
• Continue building for the long term through player development and draft capital. 

What Aldama Brings to Dallas

The Mavericks expect Aldama to provide:

• Floor spacing with outside shooting.
• Size and rebounding.
• Defensive versatility.
• Additional playmaking from the frontcourt.
• More depth for the team’s rotation.

His ability to play multiple positions gives Dallas greater flexibility against different opponents and complements their evolving roster. 

Winners of the Trade

Dallas Mavericks

• Acquire an established young starter entering his prime.
• Improve frontcourt depth immediately.
• Gain a player under contract for two more seasons.

Memphis Grizzlies

• Receive a young prospect in AJ Johnson.
• Add a protected first-round pick and two second-round picks.
• Continue accumulating assets for their rebuilding project. 

Overall Analysis

This trade addresses different goals for both franchises. Dallas strengthens its roster with a proven, versatile forward who can contribute immediately, while Memphis prioritizes future flexibility by collecting young talent and draft picks. If Aldama remains healthy and continues his upward trajectory, the Mavericks could view this as one of the most valuable acquisitions of the 2026 offseason.