**Grizzlies Face Tough Choices with Jaren Jackson Jr., Lakers Lurk**

The Memphis Grizzlies are in a precarious position after their star player, Jaren Jackson Jr., narrowly missed being named to an All-NBA team this year. This omission has significant financial ramifications, providing the Lakers with a potential opportunity to swoop in.

Had Jackson made an All-NBA team, he would have been eligible to sign a lucrative five-year extension worth up to $345.3 million this offseason. Due to his omission, the Grizzlies can only offer him a four-year extension valued at $146.8 million unless they create cap space to renegotiate his deal beforehand. To prepare for this possibility, the Grizzlies traded Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards, along with their 2025 first-round pick, during the recent trade deadline.

Despite clearing some room, the Grizzlies face complex decisions. They could create $17.5 million in cap space but would need to rescind rights to all their free agents, including Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard. Alternatively, by retaining Aldama’s $11.8 million cap hold, they could open around $6.9 million in cap room for Jackson’s renegotiation. This adjustment could elevate Jackson’s 2025-26 salary from $23.4 million to $30.3 million, potentially paving the way for a four-year extension up to $190.2 million or a five-year one worth up to $246.2 million.

Jackson might opt to bypass an extension entirely, betting on making an All-NBA team next season. If successful, he would qualify for a five-year, $345.3 million contract. Even without All-NBA honors, Jackson would still be eligible for a five-year, $296 million deal from the Grizzlies or a four-year, $219.4 million contract from another team.

This situation ties back to the Lakers due to potential cap space increases if LeBron James retires after the 2025-26 season. Such a development would provide the Lakers with over $60 million in cap space, ample for signing Jackson to a max deal and assembling a complementary roster around him and Luka Dončić. If Jackson becomes extension-eligible, will the Lakers attempt to influence his decision via backchannel communications?

To pre-empt any Lakers’ maneuver, Memphis could offer Jackson a full max contract extension this offseason, which would necessitate increasing his 2025-26 salary to $36.5 million. Achieving this would require the Grizzlies to renounce their rights to Aldama and Kennard or trade Brandon Clarke. If Memphis takes this route, the Lakers might pursue Aldama with their taxpayer MLE or look to acquire Clarke by rerouting another contract to avoid taking back excessive salary.

The mere possibility of the Lakers targeting Jackson could pressure Memphis into a difficult decision this offseason. The Lakers’ potential interest serves as a warning to other teams with stars approaching free agency in 2026, making careful long-term cap management essential. Whether or not the Lakers land Jackson, their looming presence adds another layer of complexity for the Grizzlies as they navigate these financial and strategic challenges.