Santi Aldama's return brings back a Dirk Nowitzki trait the Mavericks have needed

Santi Aldama's Dallas Mavericks debut looks like it's finally here. The 7-foot forward has missed the first eight games of the 2026-27 season as he recovers from a March knee surgery, but Dallas' top trade acquisition from the summer is on track to play in tonight's game against the Utah Jazz.

Aldama's return to the hardwood gives the Mavericks something they haven't had in years: a true 7-footer who can space the floor. Kristaps Porzingis was the closest thing Dallas had to that since Dirk Nowitzki retired in 2019, but given that KP's stint with the Mavericks was disappointing and filled with injuries, MFFLs will be hoping that Aldama can remain on the court and give Dallas' offense another element it needs.

The Mavericks' frontcourt needs more shooting

Through eight games, Dallas is the 19th-best 3-point shooting team in the NBA by percentage. They're making 33.7 percent of their attempts, with the Mavericks' big-man combo of Morez Johnson Jr. and Daniel Gafford combining for just one 3-pointer on seven attempts.

The Mavericks' bigs have been one-dimensional, and regardless of how well Gafford is playing, they need shooting. More floor spacing will help open up things up for Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, allowing them to have more driving lanes to the rim while pulling the opposing big man out of the paint.

This is not a luxury they've had with Gafford and Johnson, as defenders haven't been threatened by Johnson's jumper yet, while Gafford hardly ever steps outside.

Defenders are forced to defend Aldama on the perimeter given his pedigree as a shooter, and his numbers speak for themselves. He's made 396 threes over his five-year NBA career, and this comes on good volume. Aldama has shot 35.7 percent from three on five attempts per game over the last three seasons, and his return will give Dallas' offense much more flexibility.

Aldama is more than a shooter

While Aldama is nowhere close to being as offensively versatile as Nowitzki, his unique blend of size and shooting gives Dallas a similar type of lineup flexibility. He can operate as a small-ball center or as a power forward in a massive lineup, and Dallas needs this type of versatility.

Assuming Aldama plays against the Jazz, the Mavericks will have a forward-center who can knock down open shots, attack closeouts, and keep the ball moving on offense. He averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game last season for the Memphis Grizzlies while shooting 35 percent from long range, and his return in Dallas isn't getting the hype it deserves.

He's on track to be one of the only consistent 7-foot shooters the Mavs have ever had, and while he's no Dirk, he gives Dallas' frontcourt the shooting it has missed for years. Mavs fans are mostly used to traditional big men, and Aldama is far from that.

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