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Brandon Clarke signs four-year contract extension with Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a four-year contract extension with Brandon Clarke, the team announced on Sunday. The deal is worth $52 million, according to the Priority Sports agency website.

Clarke joins Ja Morant, John Konchar and Steven Adams as Grizzlies who have signed contract extensions since the end of last season. Tyus Jones also re-signed during free agency.

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Clarke and the Grizzlies had a deadline of Oct. 19 to strike a deal, or he would have entered next offseason as a restricted free agent.

In three seasons, Clarke has averaged 10.9 points on 59.1% shooting. His most efficient year as a pro came last season, when he shot a career high 64.4% from the field and 66.6% on 2-pointers.

Clarke's deal lines up to recent rookie scale extensions for comparable big men. Boston Celtics center Robert Williams recently signed a four-year deal worth $54 million, and Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter four-year deal for $50 million in 2021.

The difference between Clarke and the aforementioned players is that Carter and Williams each started more than 60 games last season. Clarke has 21 career starts through three seasons, so the Grizzlies are betting on him to produce like a starting big man going forward.

Clarke is one of the team's most valuable pieces off the bench. He replaced Adams, the starting center, in closing lineups late in games last season because of his defensive versatility.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies sign Brandon Clarke to contract extension