By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed young forward Jaren Jackson Jr., per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Jackson, 22, has agreed to a four-year, $105M contract, according to the report. The deal was completed ahead of the deadline for the players selected in the 2018 draft to pen contract extensions. The other scenario was becoming a restricted free agent during the next offseason.
Coming out of Michigan State, he was picked by the Grizzlies fourth overall behind Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, and Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic. He immediately evolved into a key player at Memphis with 13.8 points per contest in his rookie season. His sophomore NBA campaign generated 17.4 points per match. He was part of the starting unit in 114 out of his 115 games played over the first two seasons of his pro career.
In August 2020, he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee sidelining him for the majority of the 2021-22 season, but he registered 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game after returning late in the Regular Season. He added 13.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals over his first five Playoffs appearances. The Grizzlies were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the first round.
Despite the injury issue, the Tennessee franchise opted to lock him up rather than risk paying a higher salary to retain him as a restricted free agent.
The new contract will kick in following the conclusion of the rookie contract next summer.