The Memphis Grizzlies have had a full 2025 NBA offseason thus far, but a big development could change their summer plans. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Jaren Jackson Jr. extended his deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday for a maximum of five years and $240 million.
It was revealed by the organisation the day after the transaction was signed that Jackson Jr. will require surgery to address a turf toe injury he sustained during the offseason. “Jackson Jr.
suffered a turf toe injury in his right foot while participating in a live basketball run off sight,” the Grizzlies’ public relations team posted on X.
It was established yesterday by an expert that an operation would be necessary to repair it.
Memphis has stated that their $240 million big man will be healthy and ready to go for the start of next season, but they have not provided a specific return date.
This was Jackson Jr.’s second year as an All-Star; in 74 regular-season games, he averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 boards, 2 assists, and 1.5 blocks.
Jackson’s Impact With The Grizzlies
While Jackson has struggled with injuries earlier on in his career, his 2024-25 campaign was one of the most prolific of his seven NBA seasons. He played in 74 games, tied for the second-most of his career, earned his second All-Star selection, and was the only player in the league with at least 1,500 points and 100 blocks.
Jackson also became the first player in NBA history to have four straight seasons with at least 100 three-pointers and 100 blocks, while leading the league in floaters this season.
Jackson has been a rock for a Memphis club that hasn’t always had Ja Morant, even though the Hornets haven’t been able to replicate their previous success. In contrast to Jackson’s 203 games played, Morant has appeared in just 120 regular season games during the previous three years.
Despite the fact that both players earn more than the other, Jackson has been the more valuable contributor to the Grizzlies’ success in recent seasons.
All-Defensive First Team honours were bestowed upon Jackson twice during that span; he also topped the league in blocks in 2023 and 2024 and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season.
The news of Jackson’s injury didn’t break until the day after the team announced his deal.
Memphis’ Eventful Offseason
Memphis made another big move to restructure its squad in the offseason before extending Jackson’s deal.
Trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and four first-round selections was one of the earliest deals made in the NBA offseason.
Bane is on a five-year $197 million deal, so trading him away freed up the money for them to make the Jackson deal, making him the highest-paid player on the team.
Memphis recently saw the injury of last season’s rookie Zach Edey, who suffered an ankle injury and will likely miss the start of next season. The Grizzlies’ other big man, Brandon Clarke, suffered a PCL sprain in March, but he expects to be ready for the start of next year
Additionally, head coach Taylor Jenkins was let go by the franchise in the last weeks of the regular season, despite becoming the team’s all-time win leader.
Instead, Tuomas Iisalo was promoted to the role, and he guided Memphis to a playoff loss in the first round at the hands of the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
For at least the upcoming season, he will continue to serve as head coach.
In an effort to acquire a shooting guard to replace Bane, they also inked three-year, $28 million deal with Ty Jerome, a former Cleveland Cavaliers wing.
Now that he has become the highest-paid player in franchise history, Jackson Memphis will miss time due to injury, just like the rest of his big men teammates.
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