Santi Aldama, chosen 30th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft from Loyola, has earned a three-year extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. The promised deal is staggering $52.5 million. This decision comes after Aldama’s impressive performances during his fourth season, where he solidified his role within the team’s rotation.
Aldama didn’t just break into Memphis’ rotation in his sophomore season, he quickly became one of their most important contributors. His last season, he was a sixth man and averaged 12.6 points per game. This continuing terrific output put him at 6th in terms of efficiency among all reserve players who appeared in at least 40 games. At 6-foot-11, he is certainly one of the most unique talents in the game. In addition to his shooting acumen, his knack for creating opportunities run deep with the evidence of his exceptionalism.
Along with honing his scoring ability this career year, Aldama proved to be an all around player. He finished with averages of 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.8 steals per game, setting career highs across the board. What really jumped out was his shooting accuracy. He achieved career-highs with a 48.3% field goal percentage and 36.8% from deep.
Aldama’s combination of shooting and playmaking skills has made him an invaluable asset for the Grizzlies, providing depth and flexibility to their lineup. His efforts have been instrumental in improving the team’s quality on the field and making them more competitive across the board in the league.
The new deal confirms just how highly the Grizzlies value Aldama’s talents. It shows their commitment to creating and keeping a championship-caliber roster long term. This extension ensures that Aldama will continue to be a key player for Memphis as they aim for success in upcoming seasons.
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