The Dallas Mavericks have pulled off a significant roster shakeup, acquiring forward Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies in a move that prioritizes immediate spacing and scoring around Luka Dončić. Dallas sent AJ Johnson, the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic, and multiple future draft picks to Memphis to finalize the transaction. 7 rebounds per game last season.
The deal sees the Grizzlies parting with their stretch-four to clear cap space and accumulate future assets, receiving a 2023 second-rounder in Biberovic along with Johnson. For Dallas, this is a calculated gamble to upgrade their rotation without sacrificing their core timeline, shedding contracts that had not panned out in favor of a proven NBA contributor. This trade signals a shift in philosophy for the Mavericks front office, who have been aggressive in seeking upgrades that complement Dončić's playmaking.
By moving off of Johnson and Biberovic, Dallas acknowledges their need for established talent over developmental projects, while Memphis leans into a long-term rebuild by stockpiling draft capital. The move addresses a glaring need for size and shooting in Dallas, providing the team with a floor-spacer who can operate effectively in the pick-and-pop game. The Grizzlies' decision to part with Aldama reflects their broader roster reset under new leadership.
Memphis has been systematically dismantling its core, not just to shed salary but to retool around young guards like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Aldama’s departure, paired with the departure of Dillon Brooks earlier this offseason, underscores a deliberate pivot toward flexibility and youth, even at the cost of short-term competitiveness. The inclusion of Biberovic’s draft rights—a 2023 second-rounder—was a secondary asset that Memphis valued as part of its financial restructuring.
For Dallas, the trade underscores a calculated risk in a league where big men who can shoot and rebound are increasingly scarce. Aldama slots into a frontcourt rotation that has struggled to find consistent production beyond Dončić and Kyrie Irving. His ability to stretch the floor and contribute on the boards gives the Mavericks a versatile frontcourt piece who can play alongside Dorian Finney-Smith or even slide into a small-ball lineup if needed.
This acquisition also signals that Dallas is not done tinkering, with the possibility of further moves ahead of the deadline to address remaining roster gaps. With Aldama now in the fold, the Mavericks will likely look to integrate him into the starting lineup or a primary bench role immediately, testing their new-look rotation in the coming games. The focus now shifts to how this new asset fits alongside the team's existing stars and whether the Mavericks have enough remaining assets to make another move before the deadline.
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks’ front office have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to building a championship-caliber roster around Dončić. The Aldama trade is the latest in a series of moves designed to shore up weaknesses without overcommitting to long-term financial obligations. By swapping out Johnson and Biberovic, Dallas has shed dead weight while adding a player who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
The trade also frees up cap space, giving the Mavericks additional financial flexibility to pursue other upgrades. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are embracing a full-scale rebuild. The Aldama deal follows a pattern of asset accumulation that has seen Memphis accumulate multiple future draft picks and shed salary.
This approach prioritizes long-term flexibility over short-term wins, a strategy that could pay off if their young core develops as hoped. However, the immediate cost is a roster that lacks proven scoring beyond Morant and Bane, leaving fans to question when the rebuild will yield tangible results. The Aldama trade also exposes the widening gap between teams willing to spend aggressively for proven role players and those prioritizing asset hoarding.
Dallas’s willingness to part with multiple assets—including a future second-round pick and a 2023 second-rounder in Biberovic—signals a belief that Dončić’s timeline is now, even if it means mortgaging future flexibility. This contrasts sharply with Memphis’s approach, which has treated draft capital as currency, trading away established contributors for picks that may or may not yield immediate dividends. The disparity highlights a league-wide trend where contenders are willing to pay premiums for players who can directly impact winning, while rebuilds are treated as multi-year projects with uncertain timelines.
The move also raises questions about Aldama’s role in a crowded frontcourt. With Dončić, Irving, Finney-Smith, and potentially newly acquired players, minutes will be a precious commodity. Aldama’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions will be critical in justifying his spot in the rotation.
If he can replicate his 2023-24 production, Dallas may have found a key piece to complement their star duo. If not, the Mavericks could face the unenviable task of moving him again before the deadline, turning a perceived upgrade into a sunk cost. Coach Jason Kidd now faces the challenge of blending Aldama into a system that has struggled with frontcourt depth all season.
The Mavericks’ front office has given him the tools to succeed, but execution will determine whether this trade is a masterstroke or another experiment in a roster that has seen too many midseason pivots. Read at Eurohoops
Why this matters
This trade exemplifies the Mavericks' win-now mentality surrounding Luka Dončić, sacrificing future draft flexibility for a proven rotation player who can stretch the floor. Aldama’s ability to score and rebound at a high clip immediately upgrades Dallas's frontcourt depth, addressing a critical weakness in their roster construction. For Memphis, the move is a clear pivot toward asset accumulation and financial flexibility, allowing them to reset their competitive window. The trade also highlights the growing premium on versatile big men in the modern NBA, where spacing and defensive versatility are non-negotiable. Dallas’s willingness to pay up for Aldama signals that even mid-tier free agents and trade targets are now commanding real value in a league where depth and fit matter more than ever.
Frequently asked
Who did the Mavericks trade for Santi Aldama?
Dallas sent AJ Johnson, the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic, and multiple future draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Aldama.
What were Santi Aldama's stats last season?
Aldama posted solid numbers last season, averaging 14 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game, establishing himself as a reliable scoring option in the frontcourt.
Why did the Grizzlies trade Santi Aldama?
Memphis moved Aldama to clear cap space and acquire future assets, including AJ Johnson and draft rights to Tarik Biberovic, signaling a shift toward rebuilding.
How does this trade affect Luka Dončić?
The move provides Dončić with a high-upside big man in Aldama who can space the floor, giving the star guard more room to operate and a reliable target in the pick-and-roll.
What is Tarik Biberovic’s draft status?
Biberovic was selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Memphis acquired his draft rights in this trade.
How does Aldama fit into the Mavericks’ rotation?
Aldama’s shooting and rebounding profile makes him a natural fit alongside Dončić, providing floor spacing and frontcourt depth. He can play as a stretch-four or slide into small-ball lineups, adding versatility to Dallas’s frontcourt.
