Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama is playing for the Spanish national team this summer as it looks to defend its gold medal from the 2019 World Cup. In an exhibition match against Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Friday, Aldama led Spain to a 99-79 victory, recording a game-high 18 points along with seven assists and six rebounds, according to Eurohoops.net.
The 30th overall pick of the 2021 draft, Aldama improved across the board during his second season with Memphis in 2022/23, averaging 9.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG on .470/.353/.750 shooting in 77 games (20 starts, 21.8 MPG). The 22-year-old could be in line for a bigger role next season, as Brandon Clarke will likely be sidelined for most — if not all — of ’23/24 after tearing his Achilles tendon in March, though general manager Zach Kleiman did express optimism in June regarding Clarke’s recovery timeline.
Here’s more on the Grizzlies:
- Sharpshooter Luke Kennard, a trade deadline addition who led the NBA in three-point percentage each of the past two seasons, praised Memphis’ offseason moves and is bullish on the team’s outlook for ’23/24, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes (subscriber link). “We got some really good additions this summer, and I think they’re going to help our team out a lot,” Kennard said. “We’re really excited. I know we have a really good team this year. With our coaches and everybody just buying in to what we want to do, we have a really good chance of being a really special team this year.” The Grizzlies signed veteran guard Derrick Rose — Kennard’s former teammate with Detroit — in free agency, and added Marcus Smart in a three-team trade that sent Tyus Jones to the Wizards, among other transactions.
- The former owners of the Grizzlies have lost a court case involving a $10.7MM tax deduction for deferred compensation dating back to 2012. Michael McMann of Sportico has the details.
- In case you missed it, Jayson Tatum recently discussed what Smart will bring to the Grizzlies, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was voted by his peers as the most impressive player of Team USA’s training camp.
Sleeper team. Being overlooked bc of Ja’s suspension
Memphis have a nice team, just like Msart was a step in the right direction to win now I think they almost need to do the same offering some of the youth away for win now players.
Zaire Williams, David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, John Konkar, etc these guys are expendable and if your wanting to win you can spend them away for more experienced win now guys.
Zaire Williams for Andre Drummond
Upgrade the back up centre in case Adams gets injured you’ve got a 7 footer, rebound machine?
Alternatively, Wiseman and Burks for Kennard, Roddy and LaRavia??
Take a swing on Wiseman’s potential and for now use him as a back up? Burks offers playmaking and shooting off the bench.
Full strength Burks and Smart would be lethal off the bench, pair that with Williams, Aldama and Wiseman…
Maybe Kyle Anderson for Zaire Williams and Jake LaRivia?
Anderson offers some back up playmaking, good shooting efficiency, good versatile defence and loads of experience once again. Helps fill the void left by Brooks too.