3 best contracts on Grizzlies roster heading into 2024-25

The Memphis Grizzlies may find themselves coming off a putrid 27-55 campaign, but, heading into 2024-25, fears of continued struggles — at least of the same magnitude — are virtually nonexistent.

This is due, in large, to the tremendous foundation GM Zach Kleiman and head coach Taylor Jenkins have managed to formulate over the last several years.

From star players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to promising young studs such as Desmond Bane and Vince Williams Jr., Memphis boasts a roster that, when healthy, has only proven capable of turning heads and striking fear into the hearts of opposing teams.

Best contracts found on Memphis Grizzlies roster ahead of 2024-25

Of course, on top of the high-end talents the Grizzlies have on the floor, what’s also rather impressive is the collection of individuals they’ve managed to fit into their always daunting payroll.

While they certainly have several high-cost contributors aboard their team, with some of whom even being in the conversation of serious eye-sores from a financial standpoint, found within their clutches are several incredibly valuable talents who are attached to great value contracts, with three, in particular, deserving of recognition for being the best of the bunch.

GG Jackson

Four-years, $8.5 million

GG Jackson took the league by storm during the 2023-24 campaign, as he went from an afterthought draft-day selection and a two-way talent to a legitimate rookie sensation.

Easily one of the lone bright spots from Memphis’ injury-ravaged season, the 45 overall selection from the 2023 NBA Draft managed to come by substantial minutes within this Grizzlies rotation early and often.

He did not disappoint with such an opportunity.

Logging 25.7 minutes a night, the tweener forward went on to drop impressive per-game averages of 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on 35.7 percent shooting from deep through 48 games played.

As a result of his efforts, Jackson went on to earn All-Rookie Second Team honors and, more importantly from a long-term perspective, a lofty new contract with the franchise with a worth of $8.5 million over four years.

Considering his nine other award-winning, first-year cohorts were all selected in the first round and sport an average salary of roughly $6 million a year, it’s incredibly hard to argue against the notion that the 19-year-old’s contract isn’t a tremendous steal for the Grizzlies.

Scotty Pippen Jr.

Two-way contract at a worth of $578,577 in 2024-25

Simply put, Scotty Pippen Jr. is a player who impresses and ups his play with every passing day.

Last season, he proved right from the jump that he was a seamless fit within coach Taylor Jenkins’ scheme while running point, posting impressive averages of 12.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals on 49.3 percent shooting from the floor and 41.7 percent shooting from deep.

This offseason, he’s only gone on and improved in virtually every aspect of his game, as he was unequivocally one of the best players to grace the hardwood during this year’s Summer League tournament.

Through six played, the point guard went on to post sensational averages of 21.5 points, 8.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 steals while guiding the Grizzlies to the championship round with a record of 5-1 and clinching a spot on the First Team All-Summer League roster in the process.

Still only 23 years old and entering just his third year in the league, Pippen has proven himself capable of contributing at the NBA level as well as being worthy of inking a fully standard deal with the varsity club.

What makes his current situation so valuable is the fact that, despite all this, he still finds himself attached to a two-way deal with Memphis heading into 2024-25.

Once his contract expires at the conclusion of this season, or perhaps even as soon as his 50-game allotment runs out Kleiman and company should hop right into negotiations to try and lock Pippen down for the long haul.

However, in the meantime, they can continue to hold onto their extra roster spots while possessing the ability to call up the guard when needed during the upcoming regular season. 

Santi Aldama

Four-years, $10.2 million

Earlier this summer, Santi Aldama was declared by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report as one of the most underrated players the league has to offer, and it’s easy to see why.

While he may not be a star-level player, the 23-year-old is someone who can slot into several different positions due to his enviable size and provide numerous attributes on the court thanks to his highly versatile two-way skill-set.

This past season easily proved to be the tweener big’s best, as he would wrap up the year with impressive career-high averages of 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and .9 blocks while simultaneously holding opponents to 56.7 percent shooting at the rim when guarded by him last year and registering a positive defensive plus-minus rating along the way.

Measuring in at 7-feet, Aldama has proven himself to be an incredibly valuable commodity within Memphis’ frontcourt.

With him in tow, the Grizzlies have a formidable main trio of bigs at their disposal heading into this coming season alongside the club’s presumed starters, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.

Of course, should they instead eye beloved former lottery pick Brandon Clarke as the third cog of their low-post rotation, the value of Aldama’s deal once again displays itself, as his expiring $4.0 million salary figure would be incredibly easy to be moved in some sort of transaction and, considering how he’s been playing during these 2024 Paris Olympics, the potential return package they could receive for his services is only getting better by the day.