In an opening night win for the Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane both performed well. And yet, they were not the main stories of the contest.
That distinction belongs to one Santi Aldama, who for at least one night was able to channel his domination on the international level in the NBA. And if this one performance can become a trend, it may raise the ceiling of Memphis even higher this season.
Santi scored an efficient 10-16 from the field en route to a 27 point showing night. Santi was 5-10 from three, finally combining the sweet look of his shot with made buckets. But it was his ability to finish at the rim that really amplified the possibilities for the Grizzlies.
Ja Morant alley-oop passes to Santi? Slashes to the rim off of Morant and Desmond Bane dribble penetration? Just as you signed up for this newsletter (tell your family and friends to do so as well!), you should be signing up for that development.
Because it means that Santi is much more than just a spot-up shooter. Variety remains the spice of life - the more tools in the proverbial tool box, the better. Aldama’s skill set was on full display against the Jazz. He dribbled and got to his spots at times. He took advantage of the opportunities created for him by others.
Just as he did in the Paris Olympics this past Summer for Team Spain. He was their best player in that tournament. While Memphis needs him to be a consistent scoring threat, they don’t need him to be their best player. He just needs to be enough of a threat to make opponents pay whether they scheme to stop him, or to allow him chances to go off as the Jazz did.
Santi’s eligible for restricted free agency this Summer. If he continues to play around this level, he will be paid quite well by someone. And the Grizzlies will need to decide if it will be them doing the paying. Big-time money is coming to Jaren Jackson Jr. around this time next year. Is Aldama good enough to warrant a large chunk of the salary cap on the power forward positional slot? Especially when the fit of Aldama and Jackson Jr. on the court together is questionable due to rebounding concerns?
Santi may not give Memphis much of a choice. Restricted free agency is an advantage in and of itself. The Grizzlies can allow for the market to dictate Aldama’s value and decide whether or not to match a contract offer. Or, they can use their position to make a competitive offer and then perhaps use him as a trade chip down the road if desired.
Regardless, the amount of cash on that contract will only go up if Santi can keep helping Memphis win as he did in Utah against the Jazz on opening night. And that, for now, suits both the Grizzlies and Aldama just fine.
