Santi Aldama Undergoes Knee Procedure, Out For Remainder Of Season
The Grizzlies have ruled out big man Santi Aldama for the remainder of the season, the team announced (Twitter link).
Aldama underwent an arthroscopic procedure and received an orthobiologic injection on Tuesday to address discomfort in the trochlear compartment of his right knee. He is expected to make a full recovery prior to the start of next season.
The team revealed on Sunday that Aldama would undergo the procedure.
Aldama hasn’t played since February 4 due to ongoing knee pain. He averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game in 43 appearances for Memphis this season after signing a three-year, $52.5MM contract in restricted free agency last summer. He shot 47.9% from the floor and 35.0% from beyond the three-point line, both above his career rates.
Earlier on Tuesday, the team announced that Scotty Pippen Jr. underwent toe surgery and would sit out the rest of the season.
The Grizzlies’ training room has been busy all season. Ty Jerome, Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke and Ja Morant have all missing significant chunks of action. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was ruled out for the remainder of ’25/26 last month after undergoing finger surgery.
Santi Aldama Undergoing Arthroscopic Procedure On Knee, Out Indefinitely
Santi Aldama is undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, the Grizzlies announced today (Twitter link). As part of the procedure, he’ll receive an orthobiologic injection meant to reduce discomfort in the trochlear compartment of his knee, according to the team.
Aldama hasn’t played since February 4 due to ongoing knee pain. The veteran power forward has averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game in 43 appearances for Memphis this season after signing a three-year, $52.5MM contract in restricted free agency last summer. He has shot 47.9% from the floor and 35.0% from beyond the three-point line, both above his career rates.
According to the Grizzlies’ press release, Aldama is expected to make a full recovery. A more specific timeline will be provided after he undergoes the procedure.
Aldama joins a long list of injured Grizzlies, as Ja Morant, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton, Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are all listed as out for Monday’s game.
Grizzlies Add Tyler Burton On 10-Day Hardship Deal
12:08pm: The signing is official, the team tweets.
11:15am: The injury-riddled Grizzlies are signing wing Tyler Burton to a 10-day hardship exception, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
Burton has averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in 43 appearances with the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle, shooting 45% overall and 38.6% from three-point range. He had a 31-point game against the Iowa Wolves on Sunday.
Burton, 26, went undrafted out of Villanova in 2024. He spent some time with the Grizzlies during training camp last fall on an Exhibit 10 contract before he was waived.
Burton was signed to a camp deal in early September. He also spent last season with the Hustle, appearing in eight games and averaging 2.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12 minutes per night. He had a lengthy college career, as he played three seasons at Richmond and two at Villanova.
The Grizzlies are in need of bodies, as their injury report (Twitter link) suggests. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger) and Zach Edey (ankle) are out for the season after undergoing surgeries.
Ja Morant (elbow), Brandon Clarke (calf), Santi Aldama (knee) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) are also listed as out for tonight’s game against Dallas. Ty Jerome (calf), Walter Clayton (ankle), Cedric Coward (knee) and Taj Gibson (reconditioning) are considered doubtful, while Cam Spencer (back) is listed as questionable.
A hardship exception allows a team to temporarily exceed the usual 15-man standard roster limit. The exception is granted when a club has at least four players who have missed three or more games and are expected to miss at least two more weeks due to an injury or illness.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Finger Surgery) Out For Season
Veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season after undergoing surgery on Thursday to address a misalignment of his right pinky finger, the Grizzlies announced (via Twitter).
The news doesn’t come as a surprise, as Memphis revealed on Wednesday that Caldwell-Pope would have the procedure. The shooting guard is expected to make a full recovery before next season begins, per the team.
Caldwell-Pope, who was acquired from Orlando last summer in the Desmond Bane trade, made 51 appearances in ’25/26 for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. His shooting line was .410/.316/.913.
The 33-year-old was a quality three-and-D contributor for several years, winning a pair of championships (with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023) as a key role player. However, his production has fallen off the past seasons, particularly from behind the arc — he shot 38.9% from three-point range in the seven seasons leading up to 2024/25, but has converted just 33.3% of his outside looks since.
Caldwell-Pope has been remarkably durable throughout his career, never missing more than eight games in a season until now. He holds a $21.6MM player option for ’26/27 that he’s essentially a lock to exercise.
The Grizzlies, who have been hit hard by injuries all season long, will likely only have nine players active for Friday’s game at Utah (Twitter link).
Caldwell-Pope, Ja Morant (left elbow UCL sprain), Santi Aldama (right knee injury management), Brandon Clarke (right calf strain), Zach Edey (left ankle stress reaction), Cedric Coward (hyperextended right knee), Ty Jerome (right calf injury management) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (left great toe injury management) are all out, while rookie guard Walter Clayton is doubtful to suit up due to a right calf contusion.
As Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes (subscriber link), head coach Tuomas Iisaslo provided injury updates on Coward and Aldama on Wednesday. Neither player was able to practice yesterday, and while Coward is said to be making progress, the prognosis for Aldama — who missed eight of the team’s last nine games leading up to the All-Star break — is murky.
“We want to get it to a baseline,” Iisalo said of Aldama’s right knee issue. “We spent those few games trying to go a little bit back and forth and it flared up every time.”
Southwest Notes: Durant, Irving, All-Star Weekend, NBPA
Rockets star Kevin Durant doesn’t buy the argument that players used to compete much harder in the All-Star Game, according to Devon Henderson and Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Sunday will mark Durant’s 16th appearance in the contest, so he has a lot of personal experience to offer a comparison. In addition, he told reporters on Saturday that he watched “at least the first quarter of every All-Star Game from like the ’70s up until the late ’90s” to see if there was a noticeable difference in the level of play.
“I’ve been watching All-Star Games and the intensity the older generation been talking about,” Durant said before trailing off and shaking his head disapprovingly. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it.”
Henderson and Nehm note that ratings for the game have been falling dramatically amid the perception that the players don’t really care, with last year’s contest marking a 13% decline from 2024. However, Durant believes the players are easy scapegoats for the public’s waning interest in the event.
“I just feel like fans and media need something to complain about, and the All-Star Game don’t make them feel like it made them feel back when they were kids, so they need something to complain about,” he said. “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, to be honest. The All-Star Game, the All-Star Weekend, it’s here to celebrate the game of basketball.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Posting on Twitch, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said he’s planning to provide an update after the All-Star break on his recovery from ACL surgery and the possibility of a return this season, relays Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). There has been speculation for months that Irving may be able to return around this point of the season, but the team hasn’t announced any sort of timetable. “It’s not easy to come back from any injury,” Irving said (Twitter video link), “but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready and the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired.”
- Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required) asked Grizzlies players for their suggestions to improve All-Star Weekend, which include convincing star players to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and adding a one-on-one tournament to Saturday’s schedule. Rookie guard Jahmai Mashack believes the addition of an international team this year will help to boost interest. “I like the idea of USA versus World,” he said. “That’s really cool. I just think players got to be more competitive. Once you go out there, you got to treat it like a real game. Maybe have the stakes be a little bit higher and give them something to compete for.”
- The Grizzlies‘ Santi Aldama and the Pelicans‘ Trey Murphy III have been selected as vice presidents for the NBPA executive committee, Cole tweets.
Ja Morant Will Return To Action On Sunday
January 18: Morant will indeed be active for Sunday’s game, the Grizzlies announced (via Twitter). Big man Santi Aldama, who was previously questionable with a due to a right calf contusion, will also be available.
January 17: Trade talks involving Ja Morant could get more serious once he gets back in action. That is expected to happen on Sunday, when the Grizzlies face the Magic in London.
Morant hasn’t suited up since suffering a right calf injury on Jan. 2.
“There’s a good chance he plays. He went through the full practice today and now we’ve just got to see how his body responds in the morning,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said on Saturday, per The Associated Press. “There’s obviously no guarantees and he’s got to feel comfortable with how the calf feels.”
Morant has been limited to 18 games this season due to a variety of injuries and a one-game suspension in early November for conduct detrimental to the team. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists in 28.3 minutes per game while shooting a career-low 40.1% from the field and 20.8% on three-point attempts.
Iisalo claims he and Morant are on the same page.
“We have a very good working relationship and every day here we both look to get better,” the Grizzlies’ coach said.
However, there has been daily speculation regarding Morant’s future ever since reports surfaced last week that Memphis was entertaining trade offers for their point guard.
The Timberwolves, Kings, Heat, Bucks, Raptors, Nets and Mavericks have been mentioned as potential suitors for Morant. However, there have been no indications that any trade discussions have reached the serious level. Morant has two years remaining after this season on his five-year, $197.2MM contract and his value has dipped the past few seasons due to declining production, health problems, and off-the-court issues.
Eleven More Players Become Trade-Eligible
Today is Thursday, January 15, which means that a total of 11 players who signed free agent contracts meeting specific criteria this past offseason are now eligible to be traded.
Most offseason signees became trade-eligible on December 15, but players who met the following criteria were ineligible to be moved for an extra month:
- The player re-signed with his previous team.
- He got a raise of at least 20%.
- His salary is above the minimum.
- His team was over the cap and used Bird or Early Bird rights to sign him.
These are the 11 players who met that criteria and are eligible to be traded as of Thursday:
Santi Aldama (Grizzlies)- Josh Giddey (Bulls)
- Quentin Grimes (Sixers)
- Isaiah Jackson (Pacers)
- Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)
- Tre Mann (Hornets)
- Sam Merrill (Cavaliers)
- Davion Mitchell (Heat)
- Paul Reed (Pistons)
- Naz Reid (Timberwolves)
- Ryan Rollins (Bucks)
Most of the players on standard 15-man rosters around the NBA are now eligible to be moved, though a small handful still can’t be dealt.
That group includes Kings guard Russell Westbrook, who becomes trade-eligible on Friday, Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (trade-eligible on January 18), Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan (Jan. 23), Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (Feb. 1), Lakers guard Luka Doncic (Feb. 2), Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (Feb. 4), and Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (Feb. 4).
Additionally, there are several players who won’t become trade-eligible at all prior to this season’s February 6 deadline, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Players on 10-day contracts are also ineligible to be traded.
Grizzlies Notes: Aldama, Morant, Clarke, Spencer, Edey
Speaking to Mark Medina of EssentiallySports, Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama discussed a wide range of topics, including his impressions of head coach Tuomas Iisalo, his reaction to the disagreement earlier in the season between teammate Ja Morant and the coaching staff, and his perspective on a recent dust-up with Draymond Green.
Aldama also admitted that when he signed a new three-year contract with the Grizzlies over the summer, he didn’t expect to be playing center as much as he’s had to this fall, with big men Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke both missing extensive time due to injuries.
“It’s not easy,” Aldama said. “… But the group needed me to do it. It’s been hard to adjust at times. But it’s also been seamless because of the work we’ve put in and I’ve been with Jaren (Jackson Jr.) my whole life. I’ve played the four, and he’s played the five. Now we’ve kind of switched it up. But it’s about having honest conversations and seeing where I can help the group at all times. With being one of the most veteran guys on the team and having been here as one of the longest, it’s important for me to be that voice and constant amid the chaos.”
Aldama went on to speak specifically about some of the adjustments he’s had to make in that new role, crediting Morant for helping him adapt.
“The challenge is mainly with the way we run the floor,” Aldama said. “I’m used to getting behind and starting in transition for us. But as a five, you’re more in the middle of the court and trying to set some screens and find maybe a pop, a roll or a cut to get the corners open. As a four, you’re more playing off closeouts.
“Where my advantage lies on offense has been different. But I’ve been talking with guys that play that position. I’ve been talking to Ja. He’s been great for us there. Obviously, my advantage is different than his. But he understands the spacing.”
Here’s more on the Grizzlies:
- After initially being listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game vs. Minnesota, Morant has been downgraded to doubtful due to his left ankle sprain, according to the team (Twitter link). The star point guard sustained the injury on Monday in his second game back from a calf strain.
- Clarke, who has yet to play this season while he recovers from right knee surgery, has been listed as questionable to make his season debut on Wednesday, per the Grizzlies (Twitter link). Injuries have limited the 29-year-old to just 70 total appearances since the start of the 2023/24 season, but he has been an effective role player in Memphis’ frontcourt when healthy.
- Like his brother Pat Spencer of the Warriors, Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer will miss his team’s next game for personal reasons, having been ruled out on Wednesday, according to the injury report. Cam has played a key role for Memphis of late, averaging 16.9 points and 5.2 assists per game with an incredible 63.6% three-point percentage in his past 10 outings.
- Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal spoke to a pair of doctors about Edey’s ankle injury, which will sideline him into the new year. As Cole writes, Edey’s offseason ankle surgery addressed ligaments and soft tissue, whereas his recent stress reaction affects the bone in that ankle, so it’s not an aggravation of the same injury, though there’s presumably a connection. “It’s most likely related to the rehab, where he may have ramped up too quick,” orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon Kenneth Jung said. “Basically, the stress in the bone means the load up on the bone is quicker than the bone can keep up with.” Neither specialist who talked to Cole anticipates that the injury will be a long-term problem for Edey. “I would become more concerned if it’s recurrent, or the bone just doesn’t respond and he needs more time ramping up,” Jung said. “If he recovers and gets back to play, then I don’t think it’s an issue.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell Named Players Of The Week
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week for the Western and Eastern Conference, respectively, the league announced today (Twitter links).
Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champions to four wins during the week of November 17-23 while averaging 31.0 points and 6.5 assists per contest and shooting 60% from the field and 64.3% from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City was +82 in SGA’s 125 minutes on the court last week.
Gilgeous-Alexander also earned Player of the Week honors three weeks ago and is the second repeat winner of the award this season, joining Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Mitchell posted averages of 31.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as the Cavaliers went 3-1 this past week. He opened and closed the week with matching 37-point performances against the Bucks and Clippers, going 14-of-22 from the field in each of those two outings.
Santi Aldama (Grizzlies), Luka Doncic (Lakers), De’Aaron Fox (Spurs), James Harden (Clippers) and Jokic (Nuggets) were the other Western Conference nominees for Player of the Week.
Jalen Duren (Pistons), Josh Giddey (Bulls), Brandon Ingram (Raptors), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (Sixers), Norman Powell and Kel’el Ware (Heat), Ryan Rollins (Bucks) and Franz Wagner (Magic) were also nominated in the East.
Grizzlies Announce Injury Updates On Clarke, Edey, Jackson
Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke is undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to address synovitis in his right knee, the team announced in a press release (via Twitter).
Clarke’s 2024/25 season was cut short in March when he suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee.
While that injury has fully healed, per the Grizzlies, he experienced synovitis — inflammation that affects the synovial membranes in joints — during recent training sessions. Memphis says it will provide a return timeline after the procedure, but Clarke is expected to make a full recovery.
Shams Charania of ESPN, who first reported the news, hears that Clarke is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks, which is when he will be reevaluated (Twitter link).
It’s another unfortunate setback for Clarke, who has been plagued by various injuries throughout his career, including a torn Achilles tendon that cost him most of ’23/24.
In the same press release, the Grizzlies also provided injury updates on center Zach Edey and forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr., both of whom are recovering from offseason surgeries.
Edey, who underwent left ankle surgery in June, has been cleared to ramp up basketball activities. However, he remains several weeks away from returning, as he is expected to make his season debut in six-to-nine weeks.
If Edey is ready to play in six weeks, he would be back in early November. The more conservative end of that time frame would see the former Purdue star return around the end of that month.
Jackson, who had surgery in July to repair a turf toe issue, will also begin ramping up his on-court activities. He’s expected to return in four-to-six weeks, which means he could miss a little bit of time to open ’25/26.
On a more positive note, first-round pick Cedric Coward will be a full training camp participant after recovering from a left shoulder injury he sustained last year at Washington State.
With Clarke, Edey and Jackson likely to miss the start of the season, Memphis’ frontcourt depth will be tested early on. Santi Aldama and Jock Landale are among the players who could receive more playing time in their stead.