Frisco, Texas — Dallas Mavericks basketball operations continued their dramatic summer restructuring with the acquisition of Santi Aldama, a 25-year-old forward-center from the Memphis Grizzlies. ESPN reported that Memphis receives AJ Johnson along with a protected 2030 first-round pick and two future second-round picks in return.
The 7-foot Aldama broke out with 14.0 points, 6.7 boards, and 2.9 dimes per game last season, his fifth in the league after Memphis drafted him 30th overall in 2021. He connected on 35 percent of his triples at a volume of 4.7 attempts, fitting the modern NBA's demand for bigs who can shoot. A knee injury required surgery in March, ending his season early, but he is projected to return in time for training camp.
Dallas also secured the rights to Tarik Biberovic, a Fenerbahce product and 2023 second-round pick of the Grizzlies who has not yet appeared in an NBA game. Biberovic has played eight professional seasons in Europe and represents another international talent on a roster already featuring first-round pick Sergio De Larrea of Spain.
Heading to Memphis is Johnson, the 21-year-old 2024 first-rounder who played 23 games in Dallas after a deadline deal brought him from Milwaukee. The Warriors' 2030 first-rounder going to the Grizzlies is protected against picks 1 through 20. The move comes during a transformative period for the Mavericks, who hired Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz to run the front office and installed Dusty May as head coach following a dismal 26-56 season.
