DALLAS — Santi Aldama has been limited through the first two days of Dallas Mavericks training camp. Mavericks coach Dusty May said Sunday that Aldama is still working out.
Aldama had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on March 17 while playing for Memphis. It included an orthobiologic injection to address discomfort in the knee. The procedure ended his season, and he had not played since a Feb. 4 game against Sacramento.
Dusty May On Santi Aldama’s Status
Aldama is limited by something that happened before camp, according to May. The medical staff tells the coaches each day who can go, and practice is built around that.
“He’s been limited,” May said. “… They just say who can go, and that’s who we play and practice around that day. But he’s been limited with something that happened before. He is working out. It’s not as if he’s out-out. There are some limitations on that.”
On Saturday, May said Aldama had a nagging injury and that he did not know the details. May said availability on Sunday was basically the same as Saturday, when every player other than Dereck Lively II took part in some capacity. Lively worked with a trainer on non-basketball activities Saturday during the open portion of practice. He is recovering from December surgery on his right foot.
At media day Friday, Aldama said the summer had been long but that he is working every day.
“I’m working on it,” Aldama said. “It’s been a long summer in that sense. I’m working every day and feeling better every day, so I’m excited to get back out there.”
Dusty May On Santi Aldama As A Stretch Five
Dallas acquired Aldama from Memphis on July 8 in a six-team trade. He averaged career highs of 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 43 games last season, shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.0% from three.
The 7-footer could be a heck of a stretch five in a death lineup, May said. The challenge comes when opponents put a smaller defender on him.
“Santi, obviously, being a seven-footer, could be a heck of a stretch five in a death lineup. The problem is the other teams don’t put the fives on him,” May said. “Do we have a group that can go punish a five elsewhere or can he punish a three man or four man, whoever they put on him?”
“So I think, once again, lineup versatility, skill, he gives us a different dimension if we want to go with an elite shooting lineup, but Santi’s not just a shooter. He can read a closeout,” May continued. “He’s learned to play against perimeter guys, shot [fake], drive and get in the paint, kick and finish it over. So those will be one of the many challenges and the pieces we have to put together for it to be really good.”
Utah drafted Aldama with the 30th pick in 2021 out of Loyola Maryland, and his rights were traded to Memphis. The Las Palmas native played his first five seasons with the Grizzlies. He re-signed with Memphis on a three-year, $52.5 million contract in June 2025.
The Mavericks open the preseason against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 9 in Macao.
