What future awaits Santi Aldama at Memphis Grizzlies after the departure of Morant?

Ja Morant's departure marks a before and after in the recent history of the Memphis Grizzlies. The trade of the point guard to the Portland Trail Blazers confirms the start of a complete rebuild in Tennessee and necessitates a complete rethink of the franchise's sporting project, which in just a few months has also parted ways with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The big question now revolves around Santi Aldama, one of the few key players remaining in the roster whose future could become one of the most interesting issues in the upcoming market.

In the short term, everything points to the Spanish international starting the season in Memphis. However, the new scenario opens up multiple possibilities. The Grizzlies will have to decide whether Aldama is part of the long-term project or if they leverage the immense interest he has generated among championship contenders to acquire more future assets.

This is how the new Memphis starting five looks

Following Morant's trade, the Memphis roster now presents an entirely different image from the one that led the franchise to compete for top positions in the West just a few years ago. If no further significant movements happen during the summer, a possible starting lineup could consist of Cam Boozer, Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, Santi Aldama, and the young center around whom the franchise aims to build its reconstruction.

Beyond the names, what is truly significant is the change in philosophy. Memphis has shifted from immediate competition focus to developing young talent, accumulating assets, and constructing a sustainable project for the medium and long term. In this context, experienced players like Jerami Grant will support the younger ones, while others like Aldama will need to assume much greater responsibilities than in previous seasons.

Santi Aldama could become one of the project's leaders

Morant's departure completely alters the Spanish player's role within the team.

Until now, Aldama was a very valuable piece within the rotation, capable of providing versatility, outside shooting, and game understanding without assuming excessive prominence. However, with the dismantling of the core that led Memphis to its best recent years, the Canary Islander now becomes one of the most experienced players in the organization.

This could translate into a significant growth in his role.

Not only in terms of the minutes available but also in terms of leading an extremely young group. His ability to play as a stretch power forward, create advantages through passing, and adapt to various offensive systems makes him a very useful profile to support the development of the franchise's future promises.

Furthermore, Memphis has always highly valued his constant evolution and professionalism, two particularly essential aspects within a reconstruction process.

But his name will continue to surface in rumors

Due to that comprehensive profile, it is challenging to envision the rest of the NBA losing interest in him.

For months now, championship contenders have viewed Aldama as one of the most intriguing interior players in the market due to his combination of size, tactical intelligence, and ability to stretch the floor. Even before Morant's trade, reports had emerged placing the Spaniard on the agenda of several aspiring competitive franchises.

Now, that interest could intensify even more.

If Aldama has a strong start to the season, improves his stats, and shows he can assume a more significant role in Memphis, it is logical to think that numerous championship contenders will knock on the Grizzlies' door before the market closes. In a league where versatile power forwards are in demand, few players offer such an attractive quality-price ratio as the Spanish international.

What is best for Aldama?

It's a question with two possible answers.

From a strictly sporting perspective, staying in Memphis could be highly beneficial. He will have more involvement, more minutes, and many more opportunities to establish himself as an undisputed starter. If the franchise genuinely aims to build around young players, Aldama could become one of the cornerstones of the new project and achieve a prominence he would hardly find in a championship contender.

However, there is also the other scenario.

At 25 years old, the Spaniard is likely in the prime of his career and has already shown he can contribute to a high-level NBA rotation. Integrating into a title-contending franchise would allow him to compete for much more ambitious objectives and showcase his level on the biggest stage, potentially boosting his market value for future contracts.

That's why anticipating the outcome is so complicated.

Memphis has the final say

It all hinges on the strategy the Grizzlies adopt in the coming months.

If the organization believes that Aldama can be part of the core aiming to return the team to the elite in three or four seasons, it would be most logical to reject any offer and make him a significant piece of the new project. His age, progression, and versatility align perfectly with that roadmap.

But if Memphis understands that the rebuild will take longer than expected, the Spaniard could become one of their most valuable assets to continue accumulating draft picks and young talents.

In any case, Morant's departure has completely changed the landscape. The Grizzlies are embarking on a new era, and Santi Aldama finds himself, perhaps for the first time since his NBA arrival, with the chance to become one of the most important players in a franchise. Whether as the leader of the new project or as one of the most sought-after names in the market, all signs indicate that the upcoming season could mark a before and after in the Spanish international's career.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Qué futuro le espera a Santi Aldama en Memphis Grizzlies tras la salida de Morant?