Memphis Grizzlies Reward Zach Randolph with New Four-Year Deal

Sunday was an exciting day for the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. The team experienced their first-ever playoff victory in an upset win over the No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. Shane Battier can be credited for his game-clinching shot with less than 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

And, on a totally unrelated note, his wife gave birth to their second child on the same day, making it even more memorable (Congrats to Shane).

As the day progressed, it also got better and better for the franchise.

Salivating after the win against the Spurs, the Grizzlies announced that the franchise has signed big man Zach Randolph to a four-year deal. According to league sources, the deal has been projected to be worth $71 million.

Of the $71 million, $66 million appears to be guaranteed, and the final year of the contract is a player option.

Randolph has incentives based on his performances in the contract. These incentives are worth $1.3 million each, sources said.

A 10-year NBA veteran, Randolph finally helped the Grizzlies win their first ever playoff game. The team was 0-12 in their first three playoff series (2003-06).

In the upset win over San Antonio, Randolph contributed a double-double—25 points and 14 rebounds.

Now that Randolph is going to be in a Grizzlies jersey for at least three years, Memphis has locked up three of its best players in the past year.

Last offseason, the Grizzlies signed foundation piece Rudy Gay to a five year-deal worth approximately $80 million. They also signed young point guard Mike Conley, Jr. to a five-year, $45-million deal.

Now, Randolph joins the two players in the long-term deal section.

The Grizzlies, considered to be one of the best up-and-coming teams in the NBA, now have a 1-0 series lead over the four-time champion Spurs.

Many can thank Randolph for his efforts, as he has put the Grizzlies team on his shoulders since Rudy Gay went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

Randolph was taken with the 19th overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

After six seasons in Portland, Randolph was acquired by the New York Knicks, where he spent a little over a year. He would then go on to spend around a year with the Los Angeles Clippers before winding up in Memphis.

In two years with the Grizzlies, Randolph has averaged 20.8 points and 11.8 rebounds, and then 20.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, respectively.

Z-Bo has career averages of 17.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game with Portland, New York, Los Angeles and Memphis.

Nearing the end of his second season in Memphis, Randolph is hoping that he can have many more big moments in a Grizzlies uniform.