Grizzlies Lock Up Big Man With Extension

It's not quite the $193M rookie max extension signed by All-Star guard Ja Morant earlier in the summer, but the Memphis Grizzlies have now also locked up their man in the middle through the next three seasons.

Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams has agreed on a two-year, $25.2 million contract extension, his agent Darren Matsubara of @wassbasketball tells ESPN. Adams -- an immense culture piece for a young roster -- is now tied to the Grizzlies for three years, $43.1 million.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2022

It's a two-year extension for center Steven Adams, worth $25.2M, which, added to the $18M he's set to earn this season, brings his total to $43.1M for three years, through the 2024-25 season.

Steven Adams in Memphis:

— 6.9 PPG
— 10.0 RPG
— 54.7 FG%
— Led league in offensive rebounds
— Only player with 10+ RPG in under 27 MPG

Great veteran center for the Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/JbQYVyalcw

— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 1, 2022

Adams came to the Grizzlies in a trade in the summer of 2021, and posted averages of 6.9 points, 10 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his first season with the club. He also led the NBA in offensive rebounds, while setting a new Grizzlies single-season mark in that category by pulling down 4.6 offensive boards per game. He shot 54.7% from the field. 

It was earlier this week that general manager and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman called Adams a “potential long-term piece”. It only took him five days back that up with the extension. 

The 29-year-old is known league-wide as one of the strongest players in the game, and in addition to the numbers on the stats sheet, he's also one of the best, and toughest, screen-setters in the league. 

Adams is seen as a major piece in the Grizzlies' hopes of challenging for true contender status in the next couple of seasons. 

Photo: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports