Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies agree to two-year contract extension

The Memphis Grizzlies are signing Steven Adams to a contract extension, the team announced Saturday.

The center agreed to a two-year extension worth $25.2 million that keeps him in Memphis for the next three seasons. 

On Monday at media day, general manager and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman called Adams a “potential long-term piece” when discussing the possibility of an extension. 

Adams, 29, was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans in July of 2021. In his first season with the Grizzlies, Adams averaged 6.9 points, 10 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He set a new Grizzlies single-season offensive rebounding record and his assist numbers were also a career high.

Retaining Adams likely temporarily ends the discussion of Jaren Jackson Jr. moving to center. The Grizzlies view Adams as a key component to the team’s championship goals. His rebounding and screen-setting were big parts of the Grizzlies' identity last season. Many players in the NBA also call him one of the league's strongest players.

Adams’ extension also could bode well for Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks. Like Adams, Kleiman called Brooks and Clarke potential long-term pieces. The Grizzlies have until Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. to offer a rookie scale contract extension to Clarke.

The Grizzlies extended star point guard Ja Morant and John Konchar earlier this offseason and re-signed Tyus Jones. Kleiman said earlier this offseason that the Grizzlies wouldn't have a problem retaining players that they wanted to keep, and now Adams joins the list.

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