Grizzlies focus on extending Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jun 22, 2025 12:14 AM

The Memphis Grizzlies have gained significant long-term salary cap flexibility following their trade of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.

The team is now prioritizing using this newfound space to renegotiate and extend the contract of Jaren Jackson Jr. while also aiming to re-sign promising forward Santi Aldama.

Jackson currently has one year remaining on his deal, with a salary of $23.4 million. However, that amount is widely regarded as too low to serve as a baseline for a veteran extension.

Thanks to the cap space created by the Bane trade, the Grizzlies are expected to carve out enough room this offseason to adjust Jackson’s salary upward, potentially exceeding $30 million for the next season.

Once that new salary figure is set, Memphis plans to offer Jackson a contract extension that includes multiple additional years at a rate calculated as 140% of his new salary, allowing them to lock in their key big man long term.

Regarding Santi Aldama, Memphis has the option to designate the versatile forward as a restricted free agent this offseason.

Doing so means retaining his $11.8 million cap hold, a figure low enough that it won’t impede the team’s ability to create space for Jackson’s extension.

By keeping Aldama as a restricted free agent, the Grizzlies can maintain control over his future and are positioned to match any offer sheets that might come from other interested teams, protecting their investment in the young player.