Santi Aldama is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing names in free agency this offseason, drawing interest from multiple teams reportedly willing to offer him contracts at or near the full mid-level exception.
As a restricted free agent, Aldama gives the Memphis Grizzlies the right to match any offer sheet he signs. The 30th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has steadily developed into a versatile forward, and his performance last season has not gone unnoticed around the league.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe highlighted the growing buzz around Aldama during a segment on Saturday, noting that multiple teams are expected to seriously pursue the Spanish forward.
“Because Santi Aldama has full mid-level deals, I think, waiting for him,” said Lowe. “At least that’s the scuttlebutt I’ve heard: that he is sought after enough by a team like Detroit, for instance, with the full mid-level. There’s a lot of teams with the full mid-level. He’s an interesting kind of combination of skills, and I think they’re going to have to pay to retain him. And when you have full mid-level deals, if you do in the open market, your incumbent team might have to pay a little bit more than that using your bird rights to do it, and then they’d have the salary cap room exception on top of that.”
Aldama, who is represented by CAA agents Max Saidman, Steven Heumann, Aaron Mintz, and Austin Brown, delivered a strong 2024–25 campaign with averages of 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, along with a player efficiency rating (PER) of 16.6 – all of which underscore his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.
Known for his unique combination of size, shooting touch, and playmaking ability, Aldama has carved out a valuable role as a modern stretch big with defensive versatility.
His breakout year came in part due to increased opportunity in Memphis’s injury-plagued season, and now, he appears poised to cash in.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are expected to make Aldama’s retention a top priority alongside their efforts to extend fellow forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who is also represented by CAA.
With Aldama drawing mid-level offers from suitors like the Detroit Pistons and potentially others, Memphis may need to use his Bird rights to exceed the mid-level exception if they want to fend off rival bids and secure him for the long term.
The situation signals a potentially expensive, but possibly necessary, summer ahead for Memphis as they look to keep their promising frontcourt intact.
Santi Aldama Expected To Receive Offers At Full Mid-Level Exception https://t.co/dFoWz57upB
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 29, 2025
