Santi Aldama (knee) assigned to G League

Aldama has yet to make his Mavericks’ debut, and that may not change on Wednesday. However, the doubtful tag is a step in the right direction for the 7-footer, who was assigned to the Mavericks’ G League affiliate earlier Tuesday.

Aldama underwent surgery in March, but reports from August indicated he would be ready for training camp. Well, opening night is here, and he still isn’t ready to go. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined, though rookie Morez Johnson Jr. may be tasked with a larger role.

Aldama is still recovering from March knee surgery, and it will cost him at least the first game of the 2026-27 season. Aldama’s absence should free up more playing time for rookie Morez Johnson Jr.

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.

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.

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.

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.