Against all odds, Santi Aldama turned a family dream into reality, rising from the shores of Las Palmas to the bright lights of the NBA. Yes! The Memphis Grizzlies forward’s journey began about 90 miles off the coast of Morocco, a Spanish city in the Canary Islands. While his father and uncle played basketball professionally, they never made it to the NBA. So, when a young Santi picked up basketball, no one thought he’d achieve such a remarkable feat. His aim was just to follow in his father’s footsteps, unsure of today’s reality. “They were just happy to see me enjoy the game,” Aldama told the NBA.
But his NBA inspiration? Spanish superstar Pau Gasol. Seeing Gasol ball with the late Kobe Bryant, Aldama said to himself, “That was when I was really like, ‘Wow, I want to play in the NBA one day.’” Santi Aldama joined Loyola University before eventually getting picked up by the Grizzlies. Moreover, he’s become a fan favorite in Memphis. So, interested to know about his off-court life? Let us dive into his contract, net worth, and more, as of 2025.
What is Santi Aldama’s salary with the Memphis Grizzlies? When does his contract end?
Santi Aldama came a long way from Las Palmas to Loyola. Then he was picked as the 30th pick by the Utah Jazz and was sent to Memphis in exchange for the 40th pick and two future second-round picks. Despite not being the most talked-about player from the draft, Aldama worked hard in silence. He started with Memphis’ G League affiliate, Memphis Hustle, and just a season later, he showcased his true ceiling, cementing his place in the first team rotation. Impressed, Santi Aldama then inked his very first NBA contract with the Grizzlies.
How much was it? Well, the Spanish player penned a $10.24 million, four-year deal with the franchise through a rookie scale exception. While signing this lucrative deal in the 2021-22 season, many eyebrows were raised on Memphis’ decision, but fast forward to now, it seems like a bargain. Furthermore, the deal sees the 24-year-old earn an average salary of $2.56 million. This deal included two club option extensions for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, which have been happily approved by Memphis. Moreover, this season has seen Aldama cash his biggest paycheck ever. The Grizzlies’ power forward earned a massive $3.96 million for the 2024-25 season.
Nov 25, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) handles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.
Over the three seasons, Santi Aldama has amassed some serious wealth solely through his NBA paychecks. Next? His numbers are going to go much higher over the summer once he signs a new deal. This is the final year of his rookie-scale contract, and now he’s set to become a restricted free agent this summer. So, the Grizzlies have a huge decision to make after they are done and dusted with this campaign. It will be interesting to see how the front office approaches Aldama for extending his stay in Memphis and continuing to develop as a real gem of a find for the franchise. Additionally, his salary is not Aldama’s only source of income.
What are Santi Aldama’s investments and endorsements?
Santi Aldama is still in his early days in the world of basketball. So, the 24-year-old has yet to attract the big brands and diversify his investment portfolio like his Grizzlies teammates. However, there are no official figures, but his net worth is mainly derived from his NBA salary, a figure that is likely to increase once he inks a new lucrative deal with the Grizzlies or any other franchise. Apart from that, even though Aldama is still learning, he owns a luxurious apartment in Memphis and a family home back in Las Palmas. This means the days of us seeing brands run after Aldama are not far off.
Moreover, the Grizzlies’ rising star has joined hands with INDIBA, a brand that is an expert in tissue recovery using radiofrequency therapy. The 24-year-old is in collaboration with the brand alongside NFL star Kirk Cousins. Although the financials of this deal are not public, it’s likely in the millions. Well, this is just one of many deals we’ll see Santi Aldama sign over the next few years. He’s got great potential and even former Grizzlies HC Taylor Jenkins agrees that he’s grown a lot since being drafted four years back. “I think he’s got a lot of potential going into his fourth year,” Jenkins stated.
“He’s grown a lot; he’s played a lot of different roles for us. He came off the bench, he’s been a starter, he has played in super big lineups, and sometimes he had to play at the five.” The former Grizzlies HC also stated that playing for the Spanish national team has given Aldama a lot of exposure, and he’s just getting started! Sure enough. There is still a long road ahead for Santi Aldama as he looks to establish one of the prominent players at Memphis and cement his name among the top players in the league.
The post Santi Aldama Net Worth in 2025: Grizzlies Star’s Salary, Contract, Endorsements & More Details Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.
