It is now or never for this Grizzlies forward in the 2024-25 season

The upcoming season is now or never for the Memphis Grizzlies' guard/forward John Konchar.

Entering his contract's third and final year, Konchar has shown tremendous potential but has yet to become a consistent contributor in Taylor Jenkins' rotation.

Konchar's success and long-term future in the NBA depend on his three-point shooting ability. The 6"5 wing declined in 2023-24 to 31.7% on threes after shooting much better in his first four seasons in the league.

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins needs more shooting in the rotation, as Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard are the only reliable outside threats getting regular minutes. If Konchar, whose expertise is moving without the ball to position himself for spot-up threes, starts hitting threes consistently, he will have a crucial role on this team.

The Grizzlies desperately need any player who can create space for stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to operate. Konchar has proven to be able to do that, though only sporadically.

How Konchar earned his NBA contract

Konchar, who is of Czech, Hungarian, and Serbian descent, went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft and signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies.

He showed gradual but significant improvement in his first three years with the team, with his averages increasing each season.

On July 7, 2022, the Grizzlies announced they were giving Konchar a three-year, $19 million contract extension. At the time, it seemed like a low-risk, high-upside deal. Konchar continued to evolve and his teammates - including the stars Ja and JJJ - clearly love him.

Konchar is a valuable trade chip

But with one season remaining on this contract, Konchar has yet to prove he's got what it takes to succeed in the league.

Last season, Konchar was regularly mentioned in trade rumors and speculations . Both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers were monitoring him.

As an expiring contract, Konchar's value will be higher than ever in the upcoming season, and the Grizzlies will have even more incentive to cut bait.

If he does not crack the Grizzlies' rotation in the first few months of the season, it may be tempting for Memphis GM Zach Kleiman and his staff to trade Konchar to a contender, hoping to get something valuable in return.

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