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No professional athlete ever wants to see their competitors suffer a serious injury. It’s part of the unwritten code between athletes. But Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. has to feel a little bit conflicted over the news of San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama missing the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Wembanyama, who as already established himself as one of the league’s top players less than two seasons into his career, is expected to make a full recovery. But with his season over after just 46 games, he becomes ineligible for any of the league’s major awards. The NBA instituted a rule prior to the 2023-24 season that states that players must participate in at least 65 games in order to win any league awards or make an All-NBA team.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Could Provide Huge Payday To Jaren Jackson Jr.
The regulation means that Wembanyama, the overwhelming favorite to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, cannot do so. So, why does that matter to Jackson? Well, the Grizzlies star, who was named to his second NBA All-Star Game this season, now becomes the betting favorite for the award.
That alone would be great news for the Michigan State products. But winning the DPOY award also comes with substantial financial benefits. Jackson is currently eligible for a four-year, $146.8 million maximum extension with Memphis in the offseason. However, if he were to win the DPOY award, Jackson then becomes eligible for a five–year, $345 million supermax extension with the Grizzlies.
That’s a difference of around $32 million per season and a jaw-dropping $198 million over the life of the contract. At -115, he’s currently a slight favorite over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley for the DPOY award.
Jackson could also become eligible for a supermax contract should he make an All-NBA team. But that also comes with a catch. Jackson, despite being listed at 6-foot-10 and serving as one of the league’s best rim protectors, is technically a power forward. Rookie Zach Edey serves as Memphis’ starting center.
That means that despite Wembanyama and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid being out of the running for All-NBA, Jackson won’t move up the list. Instead, he’ll compete for six spots at the forward position alongside players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Jackson could very well still make an All-NBA team. Memphis is currently 36-19 and third in the Western Conference, and Jackson is a big reason why. But it’s no sure thing. And with an almost unbelievable amount of money in the balance, Wembanyama’s injury may have just provided Jackson with generational wealth.