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Grizzlies Pulled Off Massive Steal Just Minutes into Free Agency

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Aleksandar Mishkov | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 7:02 PM ET

Santi Aldama was considered one of the more coveted free agents on the market. He was a restricted free agent, meaning any team with cap space could have made him an offer. But the Memphis Grizzlies wanted to secure his services early on and signed him to a new contract at the beginning of free agency.

Grizzlies Pulled Off Massive Steal Just Minutes into Free Agency

Shams Charania reported, Aldama signed a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension to return to the Memphis Grizzlies. If his trajectory continues like in the previous year, the Grizzlies got a steal. There were rumors about teams like the Detroit Pistons. They also had a young core that would fit seamlessly with Aldama’s skill set. But Memphis didn’t want to leave anything to chance. They had two priorities for the offseason: re-signing Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. They managed to get both done in the first minutes of free agency.

Restricted free agent Santi Aldama has agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million deal to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. CAA’s Austin Brown, Steven Heumann and Max Sadiman finalized the deal with the Grizzlies for Aldama, who had a career year last season. pic.twitter.com/Pk7j1HjtXy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

Aldama’s Growth, From a Bench Player to a Possible Star

Next season will be Aldama’s fifth in the league. He was drafted 30th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, who then traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis gave up the 40th pick, Jared Butler, and two future second-round picks. Santi averaged only 4.1 points during his rookie season, but he has improved his scoring output in each of the previous seasons. Last year, he had a career season, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and almost a block on 48.3% shooting from the floor and 36.8% from behind the arc. He played in 65 games and started 16.

If he continues this trajectory of improvement, he can be a valuable player for the Grizzlies on a cheap contract. The salary cap will rise by 10% in each of the following seasons due to the NBA’s new media rights deal. An annual salary of $17.5 million is great value for Aldama.

Jan 20, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) shoots for three as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

How Did the Grizzlies Get Him So Cheap?

The big reason why the Grizzlies got Aldama on a cheap contract is that he was a restricted free agent. They could match any offer, and only three teams had realistic cap space. Those were the Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Brooklyn Nets. The Pistons might have been slow to the target.

If we look at another big man, Naz Reid, Aldama is extremely cheap. The Timberwolves gave him a five-year, $125 million contract. For comparison, Reid averaged 14.2 points, 6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and almost a block on 46.2% shooting from the floor and 37.9% from behind the arc. The two have almost identical stats, and Reid is one year older. Truth be told, Naz won the Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2023-24 season.

But there is hardly any difference between the two, and Memphis paid a lower price. In the era of first and second aprons, every dollar counts. Down the road, the Grizzlies will have a better chance of getting complementary pieces to their star. They are paying less for almost the same production. Aldama will be 27 when his contract ends, and if he continues his stellar play, he will be up for a higher contract.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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