Jaren Jackson Jr. signed a five-year, $240 million max extension with the Memphis Grizzlies this week, sparking immediate debate about the contract’s value. The timing seemed questionable since Memphis had just traded away longtime core piece Desmond Bane.
The criticism intensified when the Grizzlies announced Jackson would need surgery before his new deal was even finalized. At 25, the forward’s resume includes All-Star appearances and a Defensive Player of the Year award, making the “overpay” labels seem premature.
Contract Critics Point to Injury History and Rebounding
NBA analyst Andy Bailey included Jackson at No. 5 on his list of biggest free agency overpays. Bailey acknowledged Jackson as a “really good NBA player” and highlighted his impact on Memphis. Over the past three seasons, the Grizzlies are plus-2.4 points per 100 possessions when Jackson plays and minus-1.6 when he sits.
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update for Jaren Jackson Jr. pic.twitter.com/WuzkFSREVt
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) July 2, 2025
However, two factors pushed Jackson into Bailey’s overpaid category: His injury history and relatively poor rebounding numbers.
Throughout his NBA career, Jackson has averaged 60 games per year. Bailey noted this pattern isn’t unusual in today’s NBA, but durability remains crucial for max contract extensions. The concerns lose weight when examining Jackson’s availability since the 2021-22 season.
After Jackson tore his meniscus in the bubble during August 2020, he missed almost the entire following season, playing just 11 games in 2020-21. Since returning, Jackson has been remarkably durable, averaging 70 games across the past four seasons. This track record addresses the injury concerns.
Bailey also questioned Jackson’s rebounding numbers given his 6’10” frame. The analyst cited Jackson’s career average of 5.5 rebounds as problematic for Memphis. While understandable, this criticism overlooks Jackson’s specific role within the team’s system.
Defensive Impact Explains Statistical Profile
Jackson has led the NBA in blocks twice during his career (2022, 2023) and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. This success stems from coach Taylor Jenkins’ defensive schemes that rely on Jackson’s elite help defense and athleticism. His primary responsibility involves disrupting and rejecting shots, which often leaves him out of position for rebounds.
Jenkins clearly isn’t concerned about Jackson’s rebounding totals. Since the 2019-20 season, Memphis has finished among the league’s top rebounding teams in most years, with the notable exception of 2020-21 when Jackson was sidelined with his torn meniscus. The team’s ability to rebound collectively demonstrates how they’ve built their system around Jackson’s unique skill set.
Jackson faces a challenging road ahead. Brian Windhorst reports the forward faces “typically a four-to-five-month recovery window” following his turf toe surgery. While this timeline shouldn’t cost him significant regular-season time, any setbacks could prove costly for both Jackson and the Grizzlies. Patience will be essential as Memphis moves forward with its newly extended star.
