The 2026 NBA offseason is set to be one of the most active in recent memory, and the Memphis Grizzlies are uniquely positioned to be major players. Unfortunately, some of that is due to Brandon Clarke's unexpected passing. Ja Morant drama, injuries, and the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade last season shoulder most of the blame, though. A rebuild was coming if the team underperformed; the Desmond Bane trade signalled as much. It also left Tuomas Iisalo with little to work with as a rookie coach.
Next season is going to be an uphill climb as well. EVP Zach Kleiman might as well get to finding fresh starts for practically everyone on the roster. Fresh off a three-year, $52.5 million extension signed in summer 2025 (with a club option for 2027-28), Aldama delivers versatile frontcourt production at a highly team-friendly average annual value of roughly $17.5 million. The Spanish star might also be the first big trade domino to fall before 2026 NBA Draft night.
The Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo situations are going to take a bit of time to get sorted. One big star trade seems to always happen around NBA Summer League action, and those two seem primed to hold out in a leverage-maximizing move. Aldama is a bit different. The 26-year-old is also the best way for the Grizzlies to get a jump on the rebuild.
Bucks make bold bet
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) passes the ball as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the first half at FedExForum.
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Jrue Holiday helped bring a championship parade to Milwaukee. Dame Lillard's era with the Bucks always left fans wanting more. Now, the cupboards are practically bare. Will the front office find a way to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo once again, or will the woeful years truly begin in Wisconsin?
Snagging someone like Aldama and rebuilding depth might be a better plan than chasing another All-Star guard. Sure, if Ja Morant and the Greek Freak want to give it a go, something will get worked out. However, there must be a fallback option for everyone involved.
Would the Bucks say no to Aldama, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, the 16th overall pick, and the 32nd overall pick, plus swap rights in 2028? The Grizzlies should be fine with Kyle Kuzma's expiring contract, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., and the 10th overall pick in return.
Wells and Rollins are likely the only sticking points in this framework. The only holdups are the one-name All-NBA guys. Until Ja's market develops, and Giannis gives the world a decision, nothing can happen.
Talking over Thunder
OKC faces massive tax implications as they extend their young core, with potential decisions on players like Isaiah Hartenstein looming. Aldama provides similar versatility at a more manageable number.
Thunder get Aldama, GG Jackson, the 16th overall pick, the 32nd overall pick, and a top-4 protected 2027 from Memphis. If the Grizzlies get a top-4 pick again, the Thunder could receive the 2027 Utah pick acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal or 2028 swap rights with Memphis. The Thunder might want to snag one of those 2029 or 2030 Orlando Magic picks instead.
Grizzlies get Lu Dort's expiring deal and Nikola Topic, plus the 12th, 17th, and 37th overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Hearing out the Heat
This would be a spitballing session with Eric Spoelstra. The Heat have four players that would work in a deal, but each has massively different values. That will affect just how much EVP Zach Kleiman can ask for in draft capital. Memphis could use a mix of Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell, Kel'el Ware, and Jamie Jaquez Jr. to get through next season. Adding Aldama, Jaylen Wells, and Ty Jerome arguably pushes the Heat back into the Eastern Conference's top-4 talk, especially since Pat Riley would still have the assets to chase an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Warriors willing to deal
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Golden State is projected to be deep into luxury tax and apron territory with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler on the books. Picking up Aldama's team-friendly contract and the slightly cheaper 16th overall pick is one way to relieve financial pressures. They could use Aldama’s youth for years and spacing around their core immediately.
The Grizzlies net Moses Moody, Brandon Podzemski, and the 11th overall pick, plus they'll likely push for swap rights in 2028. Settling for swap rights in 2027 would still be a win. Stephen Curry cannot compete for championships forever.
Mavs making moves
Klay Thompson praises Mavericks fans and fan support, pointing to his growing connection with Dallas and the impact of the city’s energy.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Speaking of Golden State's former dynasty, the Dallas Mavericks are making big moves around Cooper Flagg. The new front office is beholden to no one except Flagg and the final bosses who own the team. So with all due respect to Klay Thompson's legacy, it might be time for the moving trucks again. Getting dumped publicly by Megan Thee Stallion was just the start of a long summer.
Thompson and the 9th overall pick for Aldama, GG Jackson, and the 16th pick make sense. The Grizzlies get a name who can be flipped at the NBA Trade Deadline and a better rookie. The Mavericks get two useful rotation players and a cheaper rookie if the pick is not flipped for starting-caliber help.
If Dallas decides this is an eight-player draft, and Memphis disagrees, a Hall of Famer is going to need a new home. Aldama would be making his first call to U-Haul since hitting the States. However, his value sits near its peak on a friendly, long-term deal. Multiple teams have already shown interest in him as a rotation upgrade. Trading him now allows the Grizzlies to cash in before potential value fluctuations tied to team performance or contract years.
How Grizzlies are graded
Whatever happens with Aldama, the secondary move is what separates a good trade from a great one. The Grizzlies should enter draft night with a plan already in place for whoever comes back in the deal. If it's Kuzma, Moody, an OKC depth piece, or Wiggins, the 32nd pick becomes the catalyst for a quick third deal.
Teams in need of cap relief before the deadline often want partners willing to absorb a salary in exchange for a second-round pick or minor future consideration. Memphis, having already improved its lottery position and added a future first, can afford to be opportunistic here. They take on the contract, bank the 32nd alongside whatever sweetener comes with it, and walk away from draft night having upgraded their pick slot, added future capital, and cleared a roster spot.
All from one deal that started with Santi Aldama. This is the Sa Presti model in action. Use short-term financial absorption to stockpile long-term draft capital. By night's end, the Grizzlies could transform Aldama, the 16th pick, and the 32nd pick into three distinct assets: a selection in the 9-13 range, a future first from 2027-2029, and an additional future pick from the secondary flip. For a front office building around the third overall selection and a developing young core, that war chest of future draft equity becomes the currency for the next star trade that inevitably becomes available.
The 2026 NBA offseason is set to be one of the most active in recent memory, and the Memphis Grizzlies are uniquely positioned to be major players. Unfortunately, some of that is due to Brandon Clarke's unexpected passing. Ja Morant drama, injuries, and the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade last season shoulder most of the blame, though.