Jaren Jackson Jr. was arguably the Grizzlies' best player this season, leading the team in scoring, blocks, and steals for the majority of the season. However, a late-season slide followed by a disappointing playoff performance by him had many questioning whether he was worth paying him the supermax contract.
The Grizzlies won't have to be faced with that huge of a decision, as his late-season foul woes combined with the team's fall in the standings left him on the outside looking in for the All-NBA third team. Not making an All-NBA team or winning Defensive Player of the Year left him ineligible to sign a supermax contract of five years, $345 million.
As steep as that contract would have been for the team to potentially offer a player who is widely considered their second-best player, it put the team in a position to hinder their current flexibility. However, the importance of Jackson Jr. to their team should make this an easy decision for the team to make this summer.
The Grizzlies should renegotiate Jaren Jackson Jr.'s contract
The 6'11" two-time All-Star is coming off his two best seasons as a pro, averaging over 22 points as the Grizzlies' most reliable player. With Ja Morant missing a combined 105 out of a possible 164 games the last two seasons, Jackson Jr. has taken on the challenge to improve his offensive game and become a team leader.
His efforts this season held the team together when another rash of injuries occurred to several key rotation members, which led to him winning Western Conference Player of the Week for January 20-26. Now, after missing out on the supermax contract, Jackson Jr. is eligible to renegotiate his one-year, $23.4 million remaining contract into an increase up to $42.2 million next season.
He can then be extended for three additional years to bring the total contract value to four years, $190 million. While that remains a far cry from the potential supermax dollars he could've garnered, it would make him the highest-paid player on the team and present a significant increase from his previous declining salary.
It would also allow him to finish the contract before he turns 30 years old, meaning he would be eligible for an even bigger extension while still in his prime. Due to his value to the team as their defensive anchor and emerging offensive threat, the Grizzlies shouldn't bat an eye at locking up their secondary star long-term this offseason.