The Grizzlies have issued a qualifying offer to impending free agent forward Santi Aldama, making him a restricted free agent, reports Michael Scotto for HoopsHype (via Twitter).
Aldama has become a crucial part of the Grizzlies’ big-man rotation, starting 71 games over the last three years for Memphis. In 2024/25, he averaged 12.5 points, 6.4 points, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 36.8% from three, all career-high numbers. He also averaged 13.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG while shooting 41.7% from three in the Grizzlies’ four playoff games this spring.
His size at 6’11” and versatile skill set have allowed Aldama to play with equal comfort alongside star big man Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, or Brandon Clarke, and even occasionally play in three-big lineups as the small forward.
It has been reported that Aldama may have his share of suitors willing to offer the full mid-level of $14.1MM annually, with the Pistons being a team that has been heavily linked to the Spanish big man. By extending the qualifying offer, the Grizzlies have ensured that they can match any offer another team makes.
The Grizzlies also tendered a two-way qualifying offer to Cam Spencer, making him a restricted free agent, tweets Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian. The 25-year-old averaged 4.2 PPG, 1.4 APG, and 1.2 RPG in 25 games (10.1 MPG) for Memphis as a rookie after being drafted 53rd overall a year ago.
but will they…
Seems like a player every team would like to have. We’ll see if there’s a bidding war.
This is where the Nets should use their cap space.
Yes, there’s discussion about that on netsdaily.com. The Nets didn’t offer QOs to two of their three that were eligible to maintain flexibility. They may still re-sign Sharpe and Williams but they avoided using cap holds for them so they could make a play like this with cap space.