This move signals Memphis’s intent to pivot away from its older core and pursue a new regime rather than patch together the previous roster. Aldama’s departure comes on the heels of Memphis agreeing to ship Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that also brought Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis, effectively ending Morant’s tumultuous tenure with the Grizzlies and clearing roughly $87 million over the next two years from the payroll.
Aldama had become a valuable piece within Memphis’s plans, even on a multiyear contract. The Grizzlies signed him to a three-year, $52.5 million deal in 2025, and he delivered 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field in the 2025-26 season. That production underscored why Dallas pursued him: Aldama provides size, shooting touch, and frontline versatility. At 7 feet tall, he can share the court with a traditional center, function as a stretch big, or help bridge lineups when Dallas wants more skill in the frontcourt. For a Mavericks squad rebuilding around a new core, a player with those attributes is highly adaptable.
From Memphis’s perspective, the trade reflects a broader retooling strategy. The Grizzlies opted to move Aldama, a productive young frontcourt player on a multiyear deal, to gain additional future draft capital and a developing guard in Johnson. By acquiring another first-round pick and extra second-rounders, Memphis continues to rebuild its asset base and adjust the makeup of its roster for the next phase.
AJ Johnson is the incoming player for Memphis. The 21-year-old guard was the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft and stands around 6-foot-5. In the 2025-26 season, he appeared in games with modest averages, but his upside lies in potential development and the value of his rookie-scale contract. He signed a four-year deal, with a total value around $14.6 million, featuring a manageable cap hit in the short term. Johnson’s role with Memphis would be as a developmental guard on a team prioritizing youth and flexibility.
The trade’s centerpiece, however, remains the protected 2030 first-round pick from Golden State. The protection on that pick adds a layer of intrigue, as the Warriors’ future success and roster changes by 2030 could influence the value and timing of the conveyance. Combined with the additional second-round picks, Memphis gains leverage to reshape its trajectory and accelerate its rebuild.
In summary, Memphis is not merely shuffling pieces but engineering a strategic reset. By moving Aldama and Morant in separate moves, the team has increased its draft capital and added a young guard on a favorable contract, all while accelerating the transition away from the previous era. For Dallas, Aldama offers size, shooting, and frontcourt flexibility that can help diversify and strengthen their lineup. The chessboard is shifting, and both teams are positioning themselves for what comes next.
