If the Boston Celtics are going to make a move at the trade deadline, it’s likely going to be for a frontcourt piece-specifically, someone who can hold down minutes at center without disrupting the team’s long-term plans. The player needs to fit the Celtics' timeline with Jayson Tatum leading the charge, and ideally come on a contract that won’t handcuff the team financially down the road.
One name that checks those boxes? Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Now, the Grizzlies look like they’re heading into a full-scale rebuild. With Desmond Bane already moved in the offseason and Ja Morant reportedly available in trade talks, Memphis seems ready to hit reset. That opens the door for veterans with value-like Aldama-to be had before the February 5 deadline.
And Aldama makes a lot of sense for Boston. He’s not the kind of player who’ll cost a fortune in assets, but he could offer exactly what the Celtics need: size, versatility, and a skill set that meshes with Joe Mazzulla’s system.
A potential trade framework involving Anfernee Simons and a first-round pick could be enough to get the deal done. John Konchar might be included to balance salaries per CBA rules, but the core of the deal would center on Aldama’s fit and upside.
Let’s talk about that fit. Aldama isn’t your classic paint-bound big man.
At 6’11", he’s more of a modern hybrid forward-center. He’s comfortable switching onto wings, can hold his own on the perimeter, and brings a level of offensive versatility that’s hard to find at his size.
He can handle the ball in spurts, make the right pass, and stretch the floor with a career three-point shooting mark of 34.4 percent. That kind of spacing from the center spot is something Mazzulla has leaned into, and Aldama would fit right into that mold.
Defensively, he’s not going to body up the league’s strongest centers, but he’s no slouch either. He’s long, mobile, and smart-traits that make him a capable help defender and a decent rim protector. He’s not a lockdown anchor, but he can rotate, contest, and rebound well enough to be a reliable contributor in a playoff rotation.
And here’s the kicker: Aldama just turned 25. He’s still developing, and the signs of growth are already there.
He’s posting career highs across several advanced metrics-minutes, usage rate, defensive box plus/minus, assist percentage-all pointing to a player trending in the right direction. He’s not a finished product, but he’s a solid contributor now with the potential to be even more in the right environment.
From a cap standpoint, Aldama’s contract is another reason Boston should be interested. He’s making $18.4 million this season-less than Simons-and is under contract for $17 million next year, with a team option for the same amount in 2027-28.
That’s cost-controlled value for a player who’s producing and still improving. If he continues on this trajectory, that deal could look like a bargain by next season.
For a Celtics team with championship aspirations and a need for frontcourt depth behind Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, Aldama could be a smart, strategic addition. He won’t steal headlines, but he could be the kind of under-the-radar pickup that pays off in May and June.