Ja Morant's response to teammates and former teammates getting paid

Rodney Knuppel

•
Ja Morant's response to teammates and former teammates getting paid image

The Memphis Grizzlies may have scraped into the playoffs last season, but they aren't content with just making it. That message was loud and clear when they sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in a surprise move before the finals even wrapped up. Bane still has four years left on his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent following the 2028-29 season.

Despite that shake-up, Memphis is staying committed to its core, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The front office backed that up Monday evening by handing Jackson a five-year, $240 million max renegotiation and extension right as free agency began.

MORE: What number will 2025 NBA Draft picks wear in the league?

Jackson, a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting nearly 49 percent from the field this past season. A force on both ends, he took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and continues to anchor Memphis’ interior defense.

Shortly after the extension news dropped, Morant chimed in on social media, posting, “Watching my dawgs get paid,” along with a GIF of an emotional Michael Scott from "The Office."

Morant, still just 24, has three years left on his own rookie extension. He is set to make $39.4 million in 2025-26, and then it rises to $42.1 million for 2026-27.

The Grizzlies drafted Jackson fourth overall out of Michigan State in 2018. He made the All-Rookie First Team in his debut season, then went on to lead the league in blocks in both 2022 and 2023. He's a two-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive selection, and this past year, he finished second to Morant in scoring on the team while also leading Memphis with 1.5 blocks per game.

Memphis has also re-upped Santi Aldama, along with Cam Spencer and grabbed Ty Jerome via free agency.

MORE NBA NEWS:

Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.