Even though the Memphis Grizzlies barely made the playoffs last year, it isn’t good enough for the organization.
Before the NBA Finals ended, they demonstrated this by trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
Nevertheless, they are continuing to rely on their core group of outstanding players, which includes guard Ja Morant and forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
During Monday night’s free agency, Memphis and the second player reached an agreement on a five-year, $240 million maximum extension and renegotiation.
Jackson averaged 22.2 points on 48.8 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds this past season. The 6-foot-10-inch, 242-pounder was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Morant posted a message to social media after the news released.
Watching my dawgs get paid,” he posted with a GIF of Michael Scott from “The Office” looking emotional.
Morant also has three seasons left on his rookie extension.
Jackson was taken by Memphis in the 2018 NFL draft by Michigan State as the #4 overall pick. He topped the NBA in blocks in both 2022 and 2023 and was selected to the All-Rookie First Team in 2019.
Outside of becoming an All-Star twice, Jackson has been named to the All-Defensive team three times. With 1.5 blocks per game, he led the Grizzlies last season and was second in scoring average, behind only Morant.
Memphis is making a lot of moves this offseason, trading up to the eleventh overall pick to get Washington State defensive end Cedric Coward.
A three-year, $28 million contract with a player option for the last season was also inked by it on Monday with Ty Jerome, a former guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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