Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2025 Free Agents - Santi Aldama
Aldama was the 30th pick in the 2021, but has probably outplayed that draft position and has been a nice rotation player for the Grizzlies, even starting a chunk of games over the past two seasons. At 6'11", Aldama has the size to play either big position, and his ability to stretch the floor makes it easier to play him next to another big. He is a 34% 3-point shooter on pretty good volume, which makes him a decent enough threat from outside, even he's not someone that puts fear in defenses. Inside the arc, Aldama has struggled. He isn't the most athletic player, so he's not going to get a lot of dunks, and needs to rely on craft and creativity to finish inside. He has hit 65% of his shots at the rim, which is below-average for a big. He hasn't been very effective from midrange either, so his true shooting is just 55%. Defensively, Aldama is a little bit stuck between positions. He isn't all that quick laterally, which makes it hard for him to defend wings. He also isn't someone that will be a real rim protector and anchor the defense. The Grizzlies have had good defenses with Aldama on the floor, but he has typically played next to really good talent, and the Grizzlies have been better defensively when he sits. His block and steal rates are decent, but he doesn't get many rebounds. Aldama will still only be 24 years old as a free agent in 2025, so I would expect more improvement going forward. He may not be a starting-level player, but he has shown that he can contribute to a good team and be a consistent part of its rotation.
Summary
Aldama will be a restricted free agent with an $11.9 million cap hold, a $5.9 million Qualifying Offer, and full Bird rights. If Aldama plays 2,000 minutes or starts 41 games this season, he could raise his Qualifying Offer to $8.7 million. I wouldn't expect Aldama's QO to come into play, but I wouldn't completely rule it out considering it may not be that much lower than his market value starting salary and the Grizzlies could play hardball with him as a restricted free agent. Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Aldama as even teams without cap space could use the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, or possibly even the Taxpayer MLE or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him to an offer sheet or outright as an unrestricted free agent (although you rarely ever see offer sheets for less than the full MLE). However, Aldama being a restricted free agent would lower his interest among teams, as they will worry that the only way to pry him away from Memphis would be to overpay him.
Cap Considerations
Trey Lyles (2 years, $16 million, 2023) Zeke Nnaji (3+1 years, $32 million, 2023) Grant Williams (4 years, $52 million, 2023)