Santi Aldama bid farewell on Saturday with his head held high. Just in case it was the last time. The FedEx Forum, which has been his home during his first four seasons in the NBA, witnessed the Spanish player's most complete performance in the playoffs (23 points, nine rebounds, 40 minutes, starter...). But April is not over yet, and his vacation has already begun. However, an intense and crucial summer awaits him.
The Grizzlies' farewell, always so Spanish, was resounding and bitter. It is true that the overwhelming logic prevailed, being swept by the best team of the NBA season, the threatening Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, without their star Ja Morant due to injury (as well as Jaylen Wells and Brandon Clarke), and with an interim coach, Tuomo Iisalo, on the sidelines. But the 4-0 defeat stung in Memphis, where it is time for crucial decisions.
One of them will affect the Canarian center, the only Spanish player in the best league in the world (awaiting the next draft to possibly provide opportunities for those presenting: Hugo González, Izan Almansa, Isaac Nogués, Great Osobor...). The rookie contract he signed, which has earned him around 10 million dollars over four years, is expiring, entering a new contractual stage. He will become a restricted free agent. This means that the Grizzlies can match or improve any offers he receives.
This intention is publicly acknowledged by both parties. However, it may be challenging in a franchise with several ongoing issues. Aldama's current market value is estimated to be around 10-15 million dollars per season, earned through his improving performance in each of his four seasons. In points (starting at 4.1 and rising to 12.5 this year), rebounds (from 2.7 to 6.4), assists (from 0.7 to 2.9), and even three-point percentages (from 12.5 to the current 36.8%). He also set a new personal record with 29 points against the Spurs in January. There has been no season with a setback, not even in his role within a team that just two months ago was the second-best team in the West dreaming of it all.
However, the Grizzlies, who collapsed in the playoffs after securing a spot by defeating the Mavericks in the play-in, -against the Thunder, they lost the first game by 51 points, the second by 19 points, and in the third, they squandered a 29-point lead...-, also need to determine the future of Jaren Jackson and what to do with stars like Morant or Desmon Bane. All these front office decisions will ultimately impact the Spanish player, who will undoubtedly have suitors.
After 65 regular-season games and six postseason games, it is time for Aldama to rest, regroup, and prepare for the future. A few months to heal, unravel his future, and gear up for his other major goal of the year. He will lead the national team in the Eurobasket starting at the end of August.