The Memphis Grizzlies have certainly made waves with their recent draft picks, selecting Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez in the first round and then pulling off a trade for Isaiah Stewart shortly after picking Richie Saunders on Day 2. On paper, this draft haul could very well be one of Zach Kleiman's finest since he took the helm. However, this influx of new talent raises some intriguing questions about Santi Aldama's future with the team.
Aldama, standing tall at 7 feet and weighing in at 215 pounds, has carved out a niche for himself as a solid player, despite facing criticism for his physicality and defensive play. His unique blend of scoring ability and playmaking for his size is a rare commodity. Back in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kleiman made a savvy move by trading up 10 spots to grab Aldama with the 30th overall pick, a decision that has paid dividends for the Grizzlies.
Over the years, Aldama has steadily improved, becoming one of the league's more reliable bench scorers. His hard work was rewarded with a three-year, $52.5 million contract in the 2025 offseason. Before an arthroscopic knee procedure sidelined him for the season, Aldama was posting career highs with averages of 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
With the Grizzlies' recent draft moves, the question arises: Could Aldama find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to the frontcourt rotation? Despite his consistent improvement, the new dynamics in Memphis create some uncertainty about his role moving forward. With two years remaining on a favorable contract and his unique offensive skill set, Aldama would likely attract significant interest on the trade market if the Grizzlies decided to explore that route.
That said, retaining Aldama wouldn't be a bad move for a Grizzlies team in a rebuilding phase. He fits well within Tuomas Iisalo's offensive scheme and provides a scoring punch that's hard to overlook. While it's anticipated that Cam Boozer will start alongside Zach Edey, the additions of Karim Lopez and Isaiah Stewart might signal a shift toward a more physical and defensively oriented frontcourt, potentially squeezing Aldama out of the picture.
The selection of Karim Lopez at 21st overall and the acquisition of Isaiah Stewart suggest that Kleiman is prioritizing a tougher, more defensively sound lineup. With promising talents like GG Jackson II and Taylor Hendricks already in the fold, the Grizzlies might see an opportunity to capitalize on Aldama's trade value.
Much depends on how Karim Lopez develops, but it's fair to question whether Aldama's long-term future lies in Memphis. The ongoing challenge of finding a trade partner for Ja Morant only underscores Aldama's potential value as a trade asset this summer.
The Grizzlies' draft has certainly stirred excitement among the fanbase, but it also brings with it some tough roster decisions. Trading Aldama could be one of those decisions. While keeping him would still be a positive for the team, the possibility that Aldama has played his last game in a Grizzlies uniform cannot be entirely dismissed.
In Other News...
Santi Aldama May Be Memphis Last Painful GrzNxtGen Decision
Santi Aldama has become the lingering piece of a Grizzlies era that is already almost entirely gone, and Memphis now has to decide whether to keep the versatile big man as part of the next roster build or treat him as another movable contract. With Ja Morant out of the picture and the front office still reshaping the books, Aldamas deal, which runs through this season and next with a team option on the second year, gives the Grizzlies some flexibility if they choose to shop him rather than hold.
Around the league, that sort of contract has started to invite speculation, and Memphis has been loosely connected to possible trade ideas that would send Aldama elsewhere in exchange for future value or roster balance. The New Orleans and Oklahoma City possibilities have both been floated in that conversation, which is a reminder that the Grizzlies are still working through the cost of their reset and may not be done making painful choices about which names from the last core survive the transition. [Read more 🡒]
Karim Lopez Faces His First Real Chance To Win Over Grizzlies Fans
Karim Lopezs arrival gives the Grizzlies another young piece to sort through after taking him 21st overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he comes with a profile Memphis tends to appreciate. The 19-year-old spent two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL, where his physicality and passing flashed enough to make him a notable prospect, and now he gets his first real stage with NBA Summer League in front of him.
For Memphis, the appeal is obvious: Lopez already looks like the kind of wing-sized player who can do more than one thing, even if the shot and the on-ball creation still leave room for questions. Summer League gives him a clean chance to make a first impression, and if he translates the same toughness and playmaking he showed overseas, he could quickly become one of the more interesting names in the Grizzlies offseason mix. [Read more 🡒]