Shams: AJ Johnson heads to Memphis via trade

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.

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.

Martin and Williams are on track to remain sidelined for the Mavericks’ regular-season finale. While the latter has missed the last three games, the former has not played since March 15. Ryan Nembhard started and logged 31 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Spurs, while AJ Johnson played 20 off the bench. Expect a similar approach on Sunday.

Williams remains out for another game, which may result in AJ Johnson playing rotation minutes off the bench. Johnson logged 17 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Suns, shooting 1-of-11 from the field. He is not worth the risk in active leagues.

Thompson wasn’t initially on the injury report, but he will now be unavailable off the bench for a second straight game. AJ Johnson took on extra minutes off the bench on Wednesday and should again in this one, though he didn’t provide much value in a larger role.

Williams missed both games of Dallas’ back-to-back, most recently sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Suns. AJ Johnson played 17 minutes off the bench in Phoenix but shot 1-of-11 from the field. There isn’t much to gain from streaming him in active fantasy leagues.

Thompson will get Wednesday night off after playing 26 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Clippers. Khris Middleton is available, and there may also be more minutes available to AJ Johnson off the bench.

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.

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.

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.