Zach Randolph Signs Contract Extension With Grizzlies Worth $66 Million Over 4 Years, Says Report

The deal would take Randolph through the 2014-15 season, though Broussard reports that there is a player option on the final season. As Z-Bo will be 33 years old at that time and making upward of $16 million, it seems likely that the player option will be picked up. Randolph made more than $17 million this season, so he will be taking a paycut on this deal, but not much of one.

It seems clear that Randolph would not have earned such a large contract in free agency, with league owners pushing to slice payroll dramatically. That makes Memphis’ motivation to jump the gun a question mark, though Grizzlies’ franchise owner Michael Heisley certainly marches to the beat of his own drummer.

If Randolph’s contract isn’t extended by July 1, he’s expected to become one of the top free agents on the market, provided the NBA doesn’t slip into a lockout.

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