After Zach Randolph helped the Memphis Grizzlies defeat San Antonio in the NBA playoffs, the team will reportedly sign him to a four-year contract extension.
In March, Randolph’s agent Raymond Brothers and Memphis general manager Chris Wallace told The Commercial Appeal that talks were progressing towards a four year deal.
Randolph is expected to sign the contract Monday or Tuesday with the Grizzlies making an official announcement before Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Spurs.
Of the $71 million, $66 million is fully guaranteed and the fourth year of the deal is a player option. Randolph has incentives based on individual and team achievements of $1.3 million each season.
Randolph is in his second season with Memphis after being acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the 2009 season.
Randolph was drafted 19th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2001. After six seasons with the Blazers, Randolph spent a little over a year with the New York Knicks.
In addition to signing Randolph, the Grizzlies also signed Rudy Gay and Mike Conley to long-term deals within the past year.
Randolph led the Grizzlies to a 101-98 Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Sunday afternoon. He scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as 8th-seeded Memphis dropped the Western Conference’s top seed.
Memphis coach Lionel Hollins called Randolph the team’s most valuable player. The 6-9 forward has set or tied at least 16 franchise records and is leading the Grizzlies through their first playoff appearance since 2006.
Randolph was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He was in the last year of a contract that paid $17 million this season.
