‘Literally An In-Game Decision’: Dusty May Weighs Santi Aldama’s Workload For Dallas Mavericks Debut Against Utah Jazz
DALLAS — How much Santi Aldama plays in his Dallas Mavericks debut Friday night against the Utah Jazz will be settled once the game is underway, Mavericks coach Dusty May said before tip-off at American Airlines Center.
Aldama is listed as probable after sitting out the preseason and all eight of Dallas’ games so far. May said the staff has not mapped out minute ranges for Aldama or for several other players as the roster gets healthy.
“We’re just discussing that. We’re going back and forth. We want to see him play, but obviously he hasn’t played five-on-five with the main guys yet,” May said. “So that’s going to be literally an in-game decision.”
Santi Aldama Has Not Played Since Feb. 4
Aldama’s last game came Feb. 4 with the Memphis Grizzlies. On March 17, he had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and an orthobiologic injection to address discomfort in it, and the surgery ended his season.
Dallas acquired the 7-footer in a six-team trade on July 8. On Oct. 27, the Mavericks sent him to the Texas Legends to practice as part of his return-to-play protocol and recalled him the same day. He was listed as questionable for Wednesday’s 112-111 loss at the San Antonio Spurs before being ruled out.
Utah selected Aldama with the 30th pick in the 2021 draft and traded his rights to Memphis on draft night. In five seasons with the Grizzlies, he averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 278 games. Last season, he put up 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 43 games before the knee surgery.
Dusty May Plans Game-To-Game Approach To Minutes
When Aldama is on the floor with any four teammates, the group tends to function a little better because of his skill and feel, May said. He called the spacing and Aldama’s shot making a nice addition.
“It’s really hard to say. This is a great problem that we have right now, where we have unbelievable depth, and right now we’re getting healthy,” May said. “And so it’s hard to say, and it’s tough for players to not necessarily know what their minute range is going to be a game. But right now, there’s several guys on our team where we don’t know what their minute … We haven’t mapped out what we anticipate it to be.”
“But based on what the game needs, I think in nights where we’re struggling scoring the ball, we haven’t found any offensive rhythm,” May continued, “I think he’ll play more minutes than he would on the games that are maybe we’re clicking offensively, and our high-level defenders are engaged in the game and in flow offensively.”
“So for a little while, we might be on a game-to-game, quarter-by-quarter approach to what these guys’ minutes are,” May added. “And that’s … it’s not easy for them. It’s not easy for us. But as we’re still learning our team, it’s necessary.”
Dallas listed Max Christie as probable Friday with right hip soreness and tightness after he sat out Wednesday. Kyrie Irving is probable with an illness and missed Friday morning’s shootaround. Caleb Martin is available while wearing a splint on his right thumb.
Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Tarik Biberovic (right heel bursitis), and Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) are out.
Friday’s game is Dallas’ second in NBA Cup group play. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the Mavericks (4-4) host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
