Starting with the 2022-2023 season, Jaren Jackson Jr. began a 4-year, roughly $104 million contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 4th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft had shown the ability to do a variety of things. He could hit threes. He could defend at a level that was hoped for when he was drafted. And his sheer youth (he was 23 during the first year of his extension) suggested that perhaps even more could be expected of him.
He delivered on all of it. Now, in year three of the extension, the argument can be made that, among non-rookie deals, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s contract is among the best bargains in all of the Association.
The former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year is likely to see a big raise the next time he can sign an extension with the Grizzlies. Starting the day after the 2025 NBA Finals concludes, Jaren could ink a deal worth well over $300M. But for now, Jaren is making roughly $25.3 million this season — which is DOWN from last year’s $27.1 million.
The descending nature of Jackson’s deal means that he will make just $23.4 million in the final year of the contract. That is a major reason why this deal is such a value for Memphis. As Jaren’s game evolves, his cap hit goes down.
An evolving big man
When Jaren Jackson Jr. was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, he earned the moniker of “the Block Panther“. He more than deserved the award — and the title. His absurd 9.6% block rate from that season was among the very best in NBA history. While that percentage has dropped considerably since then, he is finding new ways to impact games on that end of the floor.
He currently has a career-best 2.1% steal rate, among the 89th percentile for NBA bigs per Cleaning the Glass. He still blocks shots at an above-average rate, but it’s his playing of passing lanes and anticipation of offensive sets that stand out.
A mismatch nightmare
Offensively, Jaren is not as impactful as he is defensively.
But that’s not to say he doesn’t create issues for opponents. He is a tough guard for just about every NBA team. Utilizing a smaller, more athletic combo forward may slow Jaren on the perimeter — but he has the post-game to make you pay. And if a bigger, truer big man is the defender of choice? Jackson Jr.’s handle has developed nicely and he can get to the rim almost at will in those situations.
He’d prefer to score from outside the paint though, if numbers are to be believed. He’s shooting an impressive 57% from midrange and 39% from three (which would be his best since his sophomore season). It’s not that he struggles at the rim – he’s about average there among NBA bigs. It’s just that he is super efficient from outside the paint. That range pulls bigs out from around the rim – opening up opportunities for slashers and cutters at the bucket.
JJJ’s isolation scoring is also worth writing home about. With his three-level scoring ability, defender have to pick their poison in isolation, which has led to him becoming one of the most efficient iso players in the entire league.
Bang for your buck
While his on/off numbers at power forward are pretty good (+6.5), his center numbers are elite (+33.1). It all adds up to Jaren being among the 98th percentile at +17.9. That means the Grizzlies are 17.9 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court than without him. That puts him 4th among big men that have logged at least 200 minutes so far this season. The other names? Nikola Jokic, Grant Williams, and Domantas Sabonis.
Lofty company – aside from Williams, who admittedly is playing well. But he’s not Jokic. Or Sabonis. And he doesn’t get asked to be the star for Memphis night in and night out.
Jackson Jr.’s resume, while not quite that of Jokic, is closer to that of Sabonis. When considering how much of Jaren’s time has come without Ja Morant or Desmond Bane by his side, it makes his play all the more impressive.
While Jokic ($51.4 million) and Sabonis ($40.5 million) may be performing at a higher level, Jaren’s doing it at much less of a cost. That is unless Jaren’s level of play helps him earn All-NBA this season, which hich would move him into a higher bracket of compensation.
Whatever the number, Memphis would be wise to pay it. Because Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the best big men in the NBA. And he’s currently dramatically underpaid for what he brings to the Grizzlies.
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