🏀 Why It’s a Landmark Deal

Core retention & strategic rebuild

Memphis is clearly committing to a core featuring Jackson Jr. and Morant, aiming to keep their two-time All-Star big man alongside their franchise point guard .

The extension follows strategic roster moves by GM Zach Kleiman—including trading Desmond Bane to Orlando—to clear sufficient salary-cap space .

Rewarding elite production

Jackson delivered 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG, and 1.2 SPG over 74 games last season .

Defensively, he’s been elite—twice NBA blocks leader, a 2023 DPOY, and a two-time All-Star .

Financial leadership shift

Averaging $48 million per year, Jackson joins the elite class of NBA earners. He’ll now earn more annually than Morant, who averages $39 million .

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📆 Timing & Context

Key dates:

June 30, 2025: Reports emerged that Jackson Jr. and Memphis were expected to agree.

Today (July 2–3, 2025): The deal officially closed, with full finalization confirmed amid announcements .

Health alert: Jackson is recovering from turf‑toe surgery and is expected to be monitored over the next 12 weeks .

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✅ What This Means for Memphis

Stability atop the roster: The Grizzlies lock in a versatile star who can stretch defenses while anchoring the paint and rim protection.

Morant-Jackson duo locked down: With Morant already extended, this solidifies the team’s “twin-towers” dynamic to build around.

Roster recalibration: In addition to Jackson’s contract, Memphis also extended Santi Aldama (3 yrs, $52.5 M) and signed Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer, signaling a deeper retool aimed at reshaping bench depth .

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🤔 Implications & What to Watch

Topic Takeaway

Championship window By keeping prime-age stars intact, Memphis stays competitive in the deep Western Conference.

Health hope Jackson’s recovery timeline is key—expect reevaluation before the season begins.

Cap flexibility Big-time extension limits short-term flexibility, but signals confidence and priority in Jackson.

Morant’s next step This puts added focus on Morant—will he opt in, extend again, or reopen negotiations?

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📣 Morant’s Reaction

On social media, Ja Morant expressed clear enthusiasm—posting “watching my dawgs get paid” in response to the two major extensions, reflecting mutual appreciation within the organization .

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🔚 Final Take

This $240 million deal is not just a win for Jackson—it’s a statement by Memphis. They’re doubling down on their young duo, committing the lion’s share of their salary cap to them, and signaling that they believe this core can contend. With deep ties to the city, mutual respect among teammates, and a plan to shape the bench around them, the Grizzlies hope this investment pays off with wins and playoff runs.

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