The Memphis Grizzlies continued stockpiling assets for their roster reset Wednesday, sending forward Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for AJ Johnson, a 2030 first-round pick and two future second-round selections, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
That first-rounder comes from the Golden State Warriors and carries top-20 protection, sources said.
Dallas is also acquiring the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic, the Grizzlies’ 2023 second-round selection who has yet to appear in the NBA and is currently playing in EuroLeague and the Turkish Basketball Super League.
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Aldama, 25, had spent his entire NBA tenure in Memphis. Selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, the 7-foot forward is coming off the best statistical season of his career, averaging 14 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 35% from beyond the arc on 4.7 attempts per game. He signed a new contract with the Grizzlies last summer that runs for the next two seasons and includes a $17 million team option for 2027-28.
Known for his offensive versatility, Aldama appeared in 278 games for Memphis, including 82 starts, and improved his scoring average in each of his five seasons with the organization.
After the Grizzlies moved star guard Ja Morant on Monday, Aldama briefly became the longest-serving player on the team’s roster.
Johnson played 23 games for the Mavericks last season, posting averages of 3.9 points and 1.1 assists. The 21-year-old guard was originally selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. 23 pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
