After what it seemed like Zach Randolph was going to opt out of his contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran power forward was able to get contract talks going again to sign a new deal.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Randolph will opt in to his $16.5 million player-option along with a two-year, $20 million extension on top of it.
After exercising his $16.5M player option for 2014-'15, Zach Randolph has agreed to 2-year, $20M extension with Memphis, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 27, 2014
This deal helps both sides.
One, Randolph gets to stay with the Grizzlies. The veteran power forward values loyalty and has expressed much desire to stay with Memphis.
Second, the Grizzlies save money big time on this deal. Memphis would not have enough money sign other players if Randolph opted out and got paid over $16 million for the next three years.
Now with Randolph making significantly less the final two years of his contract, the Grizzlies will have enough money to re-sign center Marc Gasol in 2015 and point guard Mike Conley in 2016, which helps Memphis maintain their core.
Good deal by both sides here. Grizzlies fans will be happy.