Santi Aldama has raised his scoring average in the NBA every season. Sam Hodde / Getty ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 7:32 pm EDTThe Dallas Mavericks are acquiring a stretch big man to put next to Cooper Flagg.The Mavericks are trading for Santi Aldama, a 7-foot Spaniard who spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, in exchange for A.J. Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick that originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors and two second-round picks, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed.Aldama, 25, averaged 14 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season in Memphis while shooting 35 percent from 3 on 4.7 attempts per game. He has averaged at least one 3-point make per game in each of the last four seasons. He will make $17 million this upcoming season, and the Mavericks hold a $17 million team option on him for 2027-28.
Aldama has raised his scoring average every year he’s been in the NBA. He appeared in 278 games and started 82 times during his Memphis tenure.The addition of Aldama means the Mavericks are likely to make another move to thin out their frontcourt. They just used the No. 9 pick on Morez Johnson Jr., a 6-foot-9 big man who played under new coach Dusty May at Michigan. Dallas also has P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II under contract.The Mavericks acquired Johnson and the 2030 Warriors pick from the Washington Wizards as part of February’s Anthony Davis trade. Johnson appeared in 23 games for Dallas last season.ESPN was first to report the Aldama trade.
