Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) react during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ja Morant Gets Honest on Jaren Jackson Jr. Contract Decision

Originally posted on Memphis Grizzlies on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 1:24 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the most active teams during the 2024-25 NBA free agency. Not only did they unexpectedly trade their star guard Desmond Bane, but they also added multiple key pieces and re-signed All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to a multi-year extension.

Official ✍️@jarenjacksonjr has signed a contract extension and is staying ho〽️e pic.twitter.com/CLH6Z26FLo
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 13, 2025

"The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team renegotiated the contract of forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. and signed him to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed," the Grizzlies said in a press release.

Among those excited about Jackson's new contract is his superstar teammate Ja Morant. While attending Summer League, Morant was interviewed and asked about Jackson's extension.

"He deserves it," Morant said. "That's the heart of Memphis, the heart of this team. I feel like he deserves it. I thought it would have been way more, honestly. I don't understand the cap stuff."

Ja Morant Speaks saying that he's ready for the next season and keeping himself from injuries tryna make himself a Good fit for the next season to play HEALTHY and to obviously to WIN more Games and he also mentioned that he's working in the Lab saying "I'M ALREADY IN THE LAB" pic.twitter.com/EuJ28QJjDE
— Ja Morant Fan Page (@morantwave12) July 13, 2025

It's tough to say whether or not the Memphis Grizzlies will actually be a better team this upcoming season, but they'll certainly be different. They will need to rely on Zach Edey and GG Jackson even more, as they've lost their big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Last season, it felt like the Grizzlies had the capability to do something special. They started the season as a top-four seed before eventually dropping to the eighth seed and getting swept in the first round.

This article first appeared on Memphis Grizzlies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: