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Report: Mavericks acquire Santi Aldama

Santi Aldama

DAL Forward-Center #7

Player Stats

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Mavericks have acquired Santi Aldama from the Mavericks for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick via Golden State and two future second-round picks.

The Grizzlies’ rebuild continues, with the franchise now moving on from Aldama, the 30th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Before a knee injury ended his 2025-26 season in mid-March, the foward/center averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 27.9 minutes. Aldama, who shot 47.9 percent from the field, averaged a career-high in points and matched his previous high in rebounds. With PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and lottery pick Morez Johnson Jr. all under contract for next season, Aldama’s fantasy ceiling may be limited in Dallas, but that was likely to be the case in Memphis as well, given their additions via the draft and free agency.

- Raphielle Johnson

Transaction

Source: Shams Charania

More Santi Aldama News

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Maria Taylor and the guys preview NBA Tip-Off on Oct. 20, discussing their top storylines for each squad to open their season strong.

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Related Player News

Santi Aldama

DAL Forward-Center #34

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Santi Aldama (knee) is expected to be ready for training camp

Aldama underwent knee surgery in March that ended his season prematurely. He’ll won’t suit up for Spain during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers to prioritize his recovery, but he is expected to be ready for training camp in late September. Aldama was dealt to Dallas in July, so this will be a fresh start with a new team that is loaded with frontcourt talent.
AJ Johnson

DAL Guard #8

ESPN’S Shams Charania reports that the Mavericks are sending AJ Johnson and draft capital to the Grizzlies in exchange for Santi Aldama.

Johnson will now head to his fourth NBA team in three seasons. The former 2024 first-round pick has logged 77 career games, posting averages of 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 35.7/24.5/85.7 shooting splits. He is unlikely to find a substantial role in Memphis or generate much value in fantasy basketball leagues.
Cameron Boozer

MEM Forward

Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft.

Boozer is one of the top prospects in the draft class, regardless of position. While he offers a high floor, that may be selling his long-term ceiling short. A consensus All-American, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 33.4 minutes at Duke, shooting 55.6 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three and 78.9 percent from the foul line. Boozer’s physicality and work ethic make him a good choice for any franchise looking to reset its roster. He should slot in as the starting power forward for Memphis after they traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah at the trade deadline. Boozer should fit in well alongside Zach Edey in the starting unit and become the franchise cornerstone for the Grizzlies.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) will miss the rest of the season.

Aldama underwent a successful arthroscopic surgery, which was previously reported, and now he will officially miss the remainder of the season. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2026-27 season, but fantasy managers won’t be able to utilize him for the rest of this season. He has been sidelined since Feb. 4, so this won’t alter their recent rotation. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, GG Jackson and Taylor Hendricks will continue to play extended minutes in the frontcourt.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and is out indefinitely.

The objective of the procedure is to address discomfort in the trochlear compartment of Aldama’s right knee. While the Grizzlies won’t provide a timeline until after the procedure, he’s effectively done for the season in fantasy basketball. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, GG Jackson (when healthy) and Taylor Hendricks are the players whose opportunities have increased due to the Grizzlies’ frontcourt injuries. Aldama is under contract next season with a projected cap hit of $17 million and figures to have a bigger role than he did last season if the Grizzlies don’t add a new big man in free agency or via trade.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) is out for Friday’s matchup with the Pistons.

Aldama will sit out again, and he has no timeline to return to the court. In his absence, Olivier-Maxence Prosper should remain with the starting five. Taj Gibson (conditioning) could see a couple of minutes if he’s available, but his role will be negligible at best.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) are out for Tuesday’s matchup with the 76ers.

Memphis’ injury report is lengthy, and with Aldama out again, Olivier-Maxence Prosper should continue to start and see meaningful minutes. Pippen Jr.'s continued absence means more run for Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) is out for Monday’s game against the Nets.

The Grizzlies will continue to rely on GG Jackson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the frontcourt. With Taylor Hendricks (thumb) doubtful, the Grizzlies will be severely shorthanded in that area of the rotation.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) is out for Saturday’s game against the Clippers.

Aldama remains out due to right knee injury management. The undersized Grizzlies will continue to rely on Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who is worth the streaming risk in deep leagues.
Santi Aldama

MEM Forward-Center #7

Santi Aldama (knee) has been ruled out against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Aldama was initially cleared to play on Tuesday, but he ended up being a late scratch. That won’t change for this game, meaning it will have been a month since Aldama last suited up. His continued absence will lead to more minutes for Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who signed a standard contract earlier in the day.

Rotoworld

Precious Achiuwa

SAC Forward #9
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Precious Achiuwa (ankle) recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 12 points (5-of-15 FGs), 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in a 110-98 loss to the Trail Blazers.

The Kings just can’t keep a backup big healthy. Maxime Raynaud (knee) and Dylan Cardwell (calf) are both set to miss time, so Achiuwa got the start with Domantas Sabonis getting the night off. Achiuwa exited early with a right ankle injury after having a productive night. If he is also forced to miss the start of the season, Jonathan Mogbo would be next in line to back up Sabonis.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

Source: Brenden Nunes
Jonathan Mogbo
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Ja Morant

POR Guard #1
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Ja Morant came off the bench on Tuesday and finished with 14 points (4-of-6 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), two rebounds, six assists and one steal against the Kings.

Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori has been toying with the starting lineup in the preseason, with Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson starting in this game, while Morant and Jrue Holiday came off the bench. Morant was still productive, and it’s clear the four guards will all have a significant role. Morant and Holiday will reportedly start in their next preseason game, and the starting unit for opening night still hasn’t been decided.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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Deni Avdija

POR Forward #8
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Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points (9-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two three-pointers in a 110-98 win over the Kings on Tuesday.

If there were concerns about Avdija’s usage with all the changes to Portland’s backcourt, he has addressed those during the preseason. Clearly, he’s still the focal point of the offense. He has averaged 24.5 points in 23 minutes per game through two preseason appearances. It’s a tiny sample size, but Avdija is still going to be a fantasy stud this season and have the ball in his hands a ton.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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Walker Kessler

LAL Center #14
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Walker Kessler made his preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday and contributed 11 points (4-of-6 FGs), nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block against the Warriors.

Suiting up for the first time as a Laker, Kessler was able to produce at a high level in just 16 minutes. He was able to showcase his fantasy appeal, even with Luka Dončić getting a rest night. That pick-and-roll duo should be excellent for fantasy managers, and Kessler has a chance to finally cash in on the fantasy potential that he showcased during his first two seasons.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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Austin Reaves

LAL Guard #15
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Austin Reaves lit up the Warriors with 28 points (10-of-18 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists, four three-pointers and seven turnovers in a 101-89 loss on Tuesday.

This was a little taste of how good Reaves can in fantasy basketball this season. Of course, Luka Dončić was sidelined, which allowed Reaves to score 23 points in just the first half. Dončić will be primary source of offense, but when he’s sidelined, Reaves will see a ton of usage, with the only downside being his turnovers. Reaves will still be productive enough when Dončić is healthy to be worth taking in the second or third round of drafts.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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Yaxel Lendeborg

GSW Forward
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Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 17 points (5-of-11 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one three-pointer in a 101-89 win over the Lakers on Tuesday.

Lendeborg’s strong preseason continued in this game, though it is worth noting that he tweaked his left ankle in the third quarter. He shot his free throws before exiting and wasn’t limping and was able to return to the game. There’s no reason to think it will impact his status for opening night, where he should be part of the Warriors’ starting unit.
- Noah Rubin

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Source: Anthony Slater

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Brandin Podziemski

GSW Guard #2
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Brandin Podziemski contributed 17 points (6-of-12 FGs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and three three-pointers against the Lakers on Tuesday.

Podz signed a five-year extension with the Warriors just a few days ago, showing how important he is to their future. He has been solid so far during the preseason and should be an important piece for the Warriors once again this season. Following a rough start to last season, Podz closed the year out well and will look to carry some of that momentum into this season.
- Noah Rubin

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Jared McCain

OKC Guard #3
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Jared McCain led the Thunder with 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, two assists, one steal and six three-pointers in a 114-112 overtime win over the Pacers on Tuesday.

McCain led Oklahoma City in scoring in just 19 minutes in the overtime win. Sam Presti already hyped him up before the preseason began, and he has shown why during the preseason, having now hit 13 triples across three games. When the team is fully healthy, his role will likely be too limited for him to make an impact for fantasy managers, but it should be large enough for him to be an important piece in OKC’s rotation.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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Aday Mara

OKC Center
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Aday Mara provided a boost off the bench with 10 points (4-of-5 FGs), four rebounds, one assist and three blocks against the Pacers on Tuesday.

Mara came off the bench with Isaiah Hartenstein making his preseason debut, but he was still able to make a solid impact in his 19 minutes. Mara has been productive during the preseason, and with Chet Holmgren (quad) and Jaylin Williams (heel) having been sidelined for the preseason so far, there is a chance Mara ends up playing a large role early on behind Isaiah Hartenstein. It’s a situation worth monitoring with the regular season set to start in just one week.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

Source: Justin Martinez
Isaiah Hartenstein

Chet Holmgren

Jaylin Williams
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Ivica Zubac

IND Center #40
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Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 13 points (6-of-7 FGs), 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals against the Thunder.

Tyrese Haliburton’s performance was incredible, but Zubac’s numbers shouldn’t be overlooked. If this game was an indicator, he should be in for a monster season with Haliburton feeding him the ball. This stat line came in just 18 minutes, making it even more impressive. His sixth-round ADP could end up being a bargain, and he will be vital to the Pacers’ chances of making more noise in the playoffs.
- Noah Rubin

Recap

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