The Detroit Pistons have been connected to the Memphis Grizzlies in offseason speculation and that has ramped up since Memphis flipped Desmond Bane for KCP, Cole Anthony, four picks and a swap.
Memphis’ primary motivation for doing this according to several reports, is to be able to re-sign former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to a big extension, which will be tough with Santi Aldama also on the payroll.
The ripple effect of the Bane/JJJ situation could set up a sign and trade for Aldama, and if so, the Pistons should be ready with an offer.
The 6-foot-11 forward shot 37 percent from long range this season and has improved in that area every year of his career. He’s the sort of depth move the Pistons should seek out, as he fills a real need at backup four and shouldn’t cost them any of their young players.
So, what would it take to get Aldama and what will his next contract look like?
Detroit Pistons rumors: Sign and trade for Santi Aldama
The team doing the signing and trading generally does not get full value for the player, which should be the case here, as the Pistons could just make him an offer the Grizzlies won’t be able to match if they don’t like what they’d have to send out in a trade.
If the motivation is to cut money for next season, then a trade built around Simone Fontecchio makes the most sense for the Pistons, as he’ll likely be making around half of what Aldama will make next season, he’s on an expiring contract and he’s a guy who could step into their rotation.
Obviously, that won’t be all, as Memphis will also look to land some draft assets and this is where it gets trickier for the Pistons. Could they use the 37th pick in this year’s draft plus another second-rounder or two to land Aldama?
Would Memphis hold out for a first-round pick? The Pistons don’t want to be in the habit of giving up first-round picks for non-starters but the way Aldama has progressed, and given that he is still just 24-years-old, the Pistons may think he has that ceiling in the future or at least is a guy who will give you 25 minutes off the bench.
Fontecchio and second-round picks would be the dream scenario for the Pistons, but the Grizzlies will be looking for more.
Santi Aldama’s next contract
A recent article in Spotrac predicted that Aldama will get around 4 years/$60 million on his next deal, mainly because there is only one team that could offer him substantially more than that (Nets).
Many teams have the non-taxpayer MLE at their disposal and this deal will be right around that in annual value.
This would put Aldama in the same tier as Isaiah Stewart contract-wise, which seems fair, and would give the Pistons the type of salary/talent that Indiana has used to get to the Finals, which are guys who make an impact but make less than $20 million per season.
Aldama is a fit and fills a need, so it may come down to how the Pistons view his value vs. what Memphis will ultimately want in a sign and trade.