Santi Aldama debuts with the Dallas Mavericks through the big door

The wait has been worth it. After 275 days of patience and a lot of work, Santi Aldama has returned to his favorite habitat: the basketball courts. Months of uncertainty due to the injury, including a transfer from Memphis to Dallaswhich have come to an end in a practically unbeatable way. Fifth victory, against the Utah Jazz (112-100), in which the Canary Islander almost achieved a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds in 13 minutes.

Aldama had found his place in Memphis. He was a very important player in the rotation, forming a good interior pairing with Jaren Jackson Jr. and guiding the Canadian giant Zach Edey in his first steps in the NBA. However, an injury to the right knee stopped the progression of Spanish, which In March he underwent arthroscopy and received an injection to treat discomfort in the area. This is how he ended his 2025-26 season.

An unexpected change of home

Added to this was a change of scenery last July. A year after signing a contract extension, a rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies sent Santi Aldama and Turkish Tarik Biberovic to Dallas in exchange for AJ Johnson, a first round of the 2030 Draft and two second round picks.

In this way, one of the leaders of the rejuvenated ‘Family’ joined a project with a very important commitment to young people, being Cooper Flagg (19 years old) one of its leaders, along with veterans like Kyrie Irving (34 years old) who call the shots in the locker room.

A mix of youth – with Morez Johnson Jr., Walter Clayton, Zaccharie Risacher or Sergio De Larrea from Valladolid – and experience – Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall and PJ Washington – which for the moment is bearing fruit, fulfilling in 10th position (5-4) within the play-in. Without a doubt, a noticeable improvement compared to the disastrous last season, in which they finished with 26 wins and 56 losses and got rid of Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton or D’Angelo Russell.

Santi Aldama has found a new system in which to continue growing, to be an example of work ethic for the youngest players and a good option for his coach. Dusty May, thanks to his good work and his ability to play as both ‘4’ and ‘5’.