The Grizzlies entered the offseason with a clear goal to extend Jaren Jackson Jr. to solidify their All-Star duo for years to come. Ja Morant is already signed through the 2027-28 season, but Jackson Jr. was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Following his second All-Star appearance last season, Jaren fell just short of making an All-NBA team, which meant no eligibility to sign for the supermax.
Due to his bargain of a rookie contract extension he signed in 2021, the max the Grizzlies could've offered him without renegotiation was a four-year, $146.8 million contract.