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Grizzlies Take a Top Pistons Target Off Free Agency Board

The Memphis Grizzlies have retained a top Pistons target.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 27, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Nov 27, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Memphis GrizzliesPhiladelphia 76ers

You can cross Santi Aldama off the list of desired Detroit Pistons targets.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Aldama has signed a deal to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies. The veteran inks the contract with the opening hour of the NBA’s free agency.

Aldama, 24, entered the NBA in 2021. He declared for the draft after a two-season run at Loyola. In 27 games, Aldama averaged 19 points and nine rebounds, while knocking down 50 percent of his shots, and shooting at a 31 percent clip from three.

Santi Aldam
Apr 26, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) handles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) defends during the first quarter during game four for the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Grizzlies acquired Aldama after he was drafted by the Utah Jazz. He spent the past four seasons in Memphis. Playing in 235 games, Aldama has averaged 10 points and six rebounds. From three, he has knocked down 35 percent of his shots

Last season, Aldama had a breakout year with 13 points and six rebounds. Since Aldama hit 37 percent of his threes, he showed promise as a floor-spacing frontcourt player, which has been a description the Pistons have been hunting for ahead of free agency, according to reports.

At this point, the Pistons’ top three are getting taken off the board. Before Aldama reached an extension with the Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed Naz Reid. That leaves Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner as the other prominent frontcourt player the Pistons have been linked to.

While Turner is still available, he is expected to reach a brand-new deal with the Pacers after the team’s impressive run to the 2025 NBA Finals.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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