Unlike 11 of his comrades in the first round of the 2021 Draft, Santi Aldama was not extended by the Grizzlies last month, which means he will be a protected free agent at the end of the season. His franchise will obviously have control over his future but, in the event of an offer that it cannot/will not match, he could well leave Tennessee at the end of his rookie contract.
If he says he is aware of “ not having the certainty of staying ” has Memphis Next season, the Spaniard also recognizes that he would like to continue his American adventure there.
“ This is my home, our relationship [avec les dirigeants, ndlr] is very good and I hope it will be the case for many years to come » he declares at Marca.
On the basis of the best season of his career (12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28 minutes and 48% shooting success), Santi Aldama is well inspired to evolve at this level, in his last year of contract …
“ It can be a double-edged sword, because it gives you the motivation to do more, but it can also lock you into a somewhat selfish spiral. » he concedes, concerning the famous phenomenon of the “contract year”.
The only Spaniard in the NBA
Alternating between the five and the bench, as injuries strike the Grizzlies, Santi Aldama has progressed each season since his arrival in the NBA and, today, he is an integral part of Taylor Jenkins' rotation.
“ I'm still very far from where I want to get to » he warns, however. “ I'm only 23 and I'll feel even better every year. The reward comes from work and, if you work honestly, then [cette récompense] will eventually arrive. »
A Taylor Jenkins with whom Santi Aldama gets along particularly well: “ It's really nice to have this ability to be sincere with each other. When I do things wrong, he tells me, whether calmly or more firmly. He just does it to get the best out of me. »
As for being the only Spaniard present in the Great League this season, the new leader of “Roja” also says he is not worried by this statistic or for the future of his country: “ It's something circumstantial. It's going to change over time. »
| Santi Aldama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | M.E.M. | 32 | 11 | 40.2 | 12.5 | 62.5 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 4.1 |
| 2022-23 | M.E.M. | 77 | 22 | 47.0 | 35.3 | 75.0 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 9.0 |
| 2023-24 | M.E.M. | 61 | 27 | 43.5 | 34.9 | 62.1 | 1.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 10.7 |
| 2024-25 | M.E.M. | 19 | 28 | 47.8 | 29.8 | 81.0 | 1.8 | 5.8 | 7.7 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 12.5 |
| Total | 189 | 22 | 45.1 | 32.9 | 70.1 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 9.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
