Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. was not named to any of the three All-NBA teams that were announced May 23.
Jackson put together a strong case in the regular season. At times, he was virtually considered a lock to make All-NBA. He appeared in 74 games, averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals, and was named second-team All-Defense on May 22, along with earning his second All-Star appearance.
The two-time All-Star finished with the second-most votes of players who didn’t make the teams. Out of a media panel of 100 voting members, Jackson received one vote for the second team and 52 votes to make third-team All-NBA.Financial implications
A lot of money was on the line based on where Jackson landed. Because he didn’t make All-NBA, he will not be eligible for a five-year supermax extension that would have been worth roughly $345 million.
The Grizzlies still could sign Jackson, 25, to a four-year extension, but this is where things get tricky. Because his previous four-year extension was a de-escalating contract, Memphis now can sign him only to a four-year maximum extension worth roughly $146 million.Being that it’s unlikely a player of Jackson’s status would take that deal, Memphis could look to renegotiate his current deal to reach a higher number.
The Grizzlies would have to release the cap holds to their current projected free agents to get under the salary cap. Then they would be able to tack any additional cap space on to the final year of Jackson’s current deal.Based on the amount of cap space the Grizzlies create, they can get to a significantly higher yearly average and closer to a number that would lead to Jackson signing this summer.
Jackson’s current contract status
Jackson is scheduled to make $23.4 million in the last year of his current deal. He signed his first NBA extension in October 2021, a four-year deal worth approximately $104.7 million.
At the time, injuries were a concern for Jackson. He was coming off a season in which he appeared in just 11 games.
Since that extension, Jackson has turned that contract into a bargain. He has appeared in at least 63 games in each of the past four seasons, made two All-Star appearances and three All-Defensive teams.
Contract negotiations
The Grizzlies can begin discussing a new potential contract with Jackson the day after the NBA Finals end. Because Jackson has one more year on his deal, no other team can sign him, and technically, the Grizzlies don’t have to strike a deal now.
