Stephen Jackson Demands Extension from Bucks

During his press conference, Jackson said he considered himself to be not only "underrated'' but "underpaid.''

After the press conference, Jackson candidly told me he hopes to change the latter. Jackson said he had lobbied for a contract extension with the Bobcats and that his insistence for additional years was "directly'' tied in him being traded to Milwaukee.

Jackson has two years left on his contract: $9.26 million this season and $10 million for the 2012-13 season.

Jackson said he wants to play four more seasons, meaning he's seeking a two-year extension from the Bucks that would expire when he is 37 years old.

Is Bucks general manager John Hammond, who has constantly preached about getting the Bucks' financial house in order, be willing to grant a player on the downside of his career an extension?

That remains to be seen. What we won't need to wait on is whether Jackson will remain a happy camper if his contract isn't extended.

When I asked how important an extension was to him, Jackson responded quickly and emphatically, saying, "It's mandatory.''