Early in the 2025-26 season, Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama stuck out his arm and tripped Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Former Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had to stop Flagg from going after Aldama after the play in the Nov. 22 game.
Now the two players are both on the Mavericks after Aldama was traded on July 8.
However, Mavericks fans shouldn’t worry about the two players harboring any animosity toward each other, as they did not have any more incidents last season. But both players shared a similar fate last season, missing time due to lower-extremity injuries. Flagg missed eight straight games due to a left mid-foot sprain and two more with an ankle sprain. Aldama missed the Grizzlies’ final 31 games after he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on March 17 following a right knee injury.
Aldama played 43 games last season, averaging 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds. This was Aldama’s first season playing fewer than 60 games since his rookie year (2021-22), when he played in 32. The Grizzlies, who might have been tanking for draft position, shut down a bevy of players last season.
Aldama will not suit up for Spain in its FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers while he recovers from his knee procedure, but he is expected to be ready for training camp, according to Marc Stein.
With his recovery on track, here’s how Aldama can help the Mavericks next season:
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