The Dallas Mavericks are just days away from kicking off their 2026-2027 NBA season, and yet their newly acquired big man, Santi Aldama, remains a massive question mark. Head coach Dusty May, when asked if Aldama would play in Wednesday’s season opener against the Rockets, dropped a straightforward, yet totally puzzling “he doesn’t know yet.” Seriously? With the season staring them down, that comment feels less like an update and more like a riddle.
The Lingering Injury and the Mavs’ Preseason Mess
Let’s rewind a bit. Aldama’s been out since March 17, when he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee while still with the Memphis Grizzlies. That ended his season, and he hasn’t hit the court since, missing all four preseason games. The Mavs’ preseason slate was a bit dismal, clocking in at 1-3. Yeah, Kyrie Irving looked like his old self, which is awesome, and they didn’t get any *new* injuries. But “no new injuries” definitely doesn’t mean full strength. Dereck Lively is sidelined for the foreseeable future, and now we’ve got Aldama in the same boat, with this weird silence around his return. Mike Curtis just tweeted that Aldama is still without a timetable. This whole thing is just… weird.
Why Aldama’s Return Is Critical, Like, Yesterday
Aldama isn’t just some bench warmer; he’s a seven-foot stretch big that’s supposed to add a significant dynamic on both ends of the court for the Mavericks. With Lively out long-term, having Aldama back and at full health is absolutely critical for this team’s success this season. The new front office regime, with Masai Ujiri, Mike Schmitz, and May, has been super tight-lipped about injury news. So, trying to read their tea leaves on this one is uncharted territory. But think about it: May said earlier that Aldama was “getting much, much closer” after a solid practice, and it’s been roughly seven months since his surgery. If he was truly weeks away, why suggest such favorable progress and a potential return this week? It just doesn’t make sense, does it?
The facts, as hazy as they are, really do suggest Aldama is closer to a return than later. The Mavs need him, especially with Lively on the shelf. The season opener is Wednesday against the Rockets. While we can only guess the exact minute Aldama steps back on the court, the vibe here is that we should be looking for him to suit up sooner rather than later. Keep your eyes peeled for that guy, Dallas. He’s coming, we just don’t know when.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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