The Dallas Mavericks took a meaningful step toward getting Santi Aldama on the floor this week, recalling the 7-footer from a rehab assignment with the Texas Legends. After sitting out the preseason and the first five regular-season games, Aldama is now beginning the ramp-up toward his Mavericks debut.
Dallas brought Aldama in during the summer in a trade that also sent European rookie Tarik Biberovic to the organization. Biberovic is still sidelined with injury as the Mavericks have opened the season 3-2. The deal was a big one for Dallas, which gave up guard AJ Johnson, a first-round pick in 2030, and two future second-round picks to land Aldama as part of a six-team trade.
Aldama’s path back has been shaped by the knee surgery he underwent last season while with the Memphis Grizzlies. Before his recall, he had scrimmaged with the Legends and was listed as “doubtful” before not playing in Dallas’ blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What makes Aldama so intriguing for the Mavericks is the blend he brings. He’s coming off a season in which he posted career highs across the board, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while starting 11 of the 43 games he played. He logged a career-best 27.9 minutes per game, and his 35 percent shooting from 3-point range gives Dallas a stretch option it doesn’t usually get from its big men.
That spacing is part of why he stands out in a frontcourt that already has size. Earlier this offseason, May pointed to Aldama’s unique profile and said, "Santi, obviously, being a seven-footer, could be a heck of a stretch five in a death lineup," before adding, "The problem is the other teams don’t put the fives on him. Do we have a group that can go punish a five elsewhere or can he punish a three man or four man, whoever they put on him?"
Aldama should also help on the defensive end, where Dallas currently misses shot-blocking center Dereck Lively II, who remains out after his latest foot surgery.
The timing of Aldama’s debut is still up in the air, but he made clear he’s close enough to feel the anticipation building. "I’m working on it.
It’s been a long summer in that sense," Aldama said about his recovery. "I’m working every day and feeling better every day, so I’m excited to get back out there."
His next chance to play could come Friday, when the Mavericks host the Houston Rockets.
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