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Latest Update on Memphis Grizzlies' Free Agency Talks With Elite Shooter

The Grizzlies are still expected to reach an agreement with Luke Kennard
Joey Linn|
Apr 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) at midcourt on the Lakers logo in the first quarter during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) at midcourt on the Lakers logo in the first quarter during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies recently declined Luke Kennard’s $14.8M team option, but the expectation has been that the two sides will reach an agreement on a new contract. A new deal between Kennard and the Grizzlies could work well for both sides, as the sharpshooting guard is unlikely to match the annual value of his team option, but could receive more guaranteed money across the totality of his new contract. 

This would allow the Grizzlies more flexibility by paying Kennard a lower annual value, but would give the veteran guard an opportunity to earn more total money. While Kennard has yet to sign a new deal in Memphis, it was reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that he is expected to. 

"The expectation remains for free agent Luke Kennard to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto wrote. "Kennard shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season for Memphis, and his return would bolster a Grizzlies squad that’s looking to return to the playoffs and make a deep run in the Western Conference playoffs with a healthy Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart returning."

One of the best shooters in all of basketball, Kennard owns the third best three-point percentage in NBA history. While the sample size of Kennard next to the top Grizzlies rotation players has been very limited due to injuries across the board, his fit on a fully healthy Grizzlies team has looked solid. 

One of the best floor spacers in basketball, Kennard gives Ja Morant a lot of space to operate, which is one of the most valuable attributes of anyone the Grizzlies put around their star point guard. It is for these reasons why it makes sense for Memphis to reach a new deal with Kennard, and reportedly the expectation is that will happen.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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