Story perspectives

Mavericks Trade for Santi Aldama, Shift Frontcourt Plans

7/3/2026

Summary

Aldama Joins Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks acquired forward Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, sending AJ Johnson, a 2030 first-round pick and two second-round picks.
Aldama signed a $17 million per year deal with a team option, leaving two years on his $52.5 million contract, and shoots 35 % from three as a power forward.
The move makes Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington expendable, expecting Aldama’s versatility to boost offense and aid rookie Cooper Flagg.

Summary

Memphis Targets Morant

The trade gives Memphis salary-cap flexibility, leaving its $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level and trade-player exceptions open.
Memphis holds a top-20 2030 first-round pick from Golden State that will become a second-rounder if unprotected, gaining value after Curry and Green retire.
With Aldama gone, Memphis’s only 7-foot-plus player is Zach Edey, showing a need for another big man cap flexibility could address.
Memphis could use second-round picks and cap flexibility to target Ja Morant.

History

Historical Context

In June 1995 the NBA and the Players Association ended a brief lockout and signed a new collective bargaining agreement that reinstated a soft salary cap, the first since the 1984-85 $4.6 million limit. The cap forced teams such as the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, to manage payroll, a practice echoed today by the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies in cap-driven trades.

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Aldama Joins Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks acquired forward Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, sending AJ Johnson, a 2030 first-round pick and two second-round picks.
Aldama signed a $17 million per year deal with a team option, leaving two years on his $52.5 million contract, and shoots 35 % from three as a power forward.
The move makes Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington expendable, expecting Aldama’s versatility to boost offense and aid rookie Cooper Flagg.

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