Zach Randolph might not know the exact details of the three-year, $57 million extension Pau Gasol signed last December that runs through the 2013-14 season. But Randolph does believe he's worthy of getting a similar extension.

"Definitely,'' Randolph said.

Randolph said in an interview with FanHouse before Monday's game at Denver he wants to sign an extension this summer, and has told Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley his desire to remain with the Grizzlies beyond when his contract expires in 2011.

"Me and Pau Gasol got signed to the same deal when he was in Memphis and I was in Portland,'' said Randolph, whose contract actually is slightly less, with Randolph making $16 million this season and $17.33 million next season and the Lakers star earning $16.45 million and $17.82 million in those seasons. "We got the same contract, and it got extended. ... I hope (to get the extension done this summer). I'd definitely like to get it done.

"I like it here,'' Randolph said of Memphis. "I told the owner I want to be here. If they're going to let me be open and be a free agent or they're going to extend me or lock me in, I'd rather take a lock in.''

"Quite frankly, Zach obviously has been a player that really has made the difference for us this year,'' Michael Heisley said by phone. "Obviously, we want to keep him through the rest of his career. We've got some things with the players that we have to sign, like Rudy Gay and some other players, but hopefully we can work on an extension (with Randolph). I am going to talk to him.''