After news broke of his massive contract extension, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that Jaren Jackson Jr. would require offseason surgery.
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 25: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after a three point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at FedExForum on February 25, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.
TheMemphis Grizzlies have stayed busy in the 2025 NBA offseason, but they just got amajor update that could swing their plans for the rest of the summer.
On Tuesday,Jaren Jackson Jr. signed a maximum contract extension with Memphis for five years worth $240 million,according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. However, just a day afterthe deal was made,it was announced by the franchise that Jackson Jr. will need surgery to fix a turf toe injury suffered over the offseason.
“While participating in a live basketball run off sight, Jackson Jr. sustained a turf toe injury in his rightfoot.”the Grizzlies’ PR team wrote on X. “Whichupon expert evaluation yesterday, was determined to require a procedure to repair.”
Memphis didn’t give a direct timeline for his return, but they said that their $240 million big man will be ready and healthy for the start of next season. Jackson Jr. averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, two assists, and 1.5 blocks in 74 regular-season games in what was his second All-Star year.
Jackson’s Impact With The Grizzlies
While Jackson has struggled with injuries earlier on in his career, his 2024-25 campaign was one of the most prolific of his seven NBA seasons. He played in 74 games, tied for the second-most of his career, earned his second All-Star selection, and was the only player in the league with at least 1,500 points and 100 blocks.
Jackson also became the first player in NBA history to have four straight seasons with at least 100 three-pointers and 100 blocks, while leading the league in floaters this season,according to ESPN.
While Memphis has struggled to reach the peaks they hit a few seasons ago, Jackson has been a mainstay on a team that hasn’t consistently had a healthy and availableJa Morant. Comparably, Morant has played in just 120 regular-season games over the past three seasons, while Jackson has played in 203 total games.
Both are the Grizzlies’highest-paid players by far, but over the past few years, Jackson has been more impactful on the court. During that stretch, Jackson earned two NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, led the league in blocks in both 2023 and 2024, and won Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season.
The team announced Jackson’s extension just one day before news of his injury broke.
Memphis’ Eventful Offseason
Before extending Jackson’s contract, Memphis made another significant offseason move to reshape its roster.
In what was one of the first moves of the NBA offseason,the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to theOrlando Magic forKentavious Caldwell-Pope,Cole Anthony, and four first-round picks.
Bane is on a five-year $197 million deal, so trading him away freed up the money for them to make the Jackson deal, making him the highest-paid player on the team.
Memphis recently saw the injury of last season’s rookieZach Edey, who suffered an ankle injury and will likely miss the start of next season. The Grizzlies’ other big man,Brandon Clarke, suffered a PCL sprain in March, but he expects to be ready for the start of next year.
The franchise also fired head coach Taylor Jenkins just weeks before the end of the regular season, despite him becoming the team’s all-time leader in wins.
They insteadelevated Tuomas Iisalo to the position, where he led Memphis to a first-round loss to the eventual championOklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. He will remain their head coach for at least next season.
They also recently signed former Cleveland Cavaliers wing Ty Jerome to a three-year $28 million deal in hopes of finding a replacement for Bane and his shooting prowess.
Despite making Jackson Memphis’ highest-paid player in franchise history, he now joins his fellow big men teammates who are currently out with injuries.