Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson: Inks long-term deal with Memphis

Jackson and the Grizzlies agreed Monday on a four-year, $105 million contract extension, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Though durability concerns and a lack of consistent rebounding (career average of 4.7 boards in 26.9 minutes per game) are blemishes on his resume, Jackson has otherwise looked like one of the NBA's best young big men since entering the league as the No. 4 overall pick in 2018. Not only has the 22-year-old been a dynamic shot blocker (1.5 per game), but he's also been a potent inside-out threat, converting at a 37.4 percent clip from downtown on 4.5 attempts per contest. As the lavish extension illustrates, the Grizzlies view Jackson as a cornerstone piece in both the near- and long-term along with star point guard Ja Morant. Assuming better health prevails in 2021-22 after he was limited to just 68 games between the past two seasons, Jackson could make a legitimate push for his first All-Star Game appearance.