Ja Morant’s Perfect Reaction To Grizzlies’ Big Announcement

The Memphis Grizzlies have brought back veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard on a one-year, $11 million deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 28-year-old's return to Memphis in free agency comes as no surprise. After declining the $16 million team option on his prior contract for 2024-25 earlier this summer, it became clear the Grizzlies had every intention of re-signing Kennard at a lower salary.

Memphis initially acquired the southpaw marksman from the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2022 trade deadline. He averaged 11 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the Grizzlies injury-ravaged 2023-24 season, shooting a stellar 45 percent from beyond the arc on high volume.

Ja Morant, needless to say, was excited about Kennard coming back to Grind City.

Expect Kennard to come off the bench for coach Taylor Jenkins this season, providing floor-spacing and ancillary playmaking at backup shooting guard behind Desmond Bane.

The Grizzlies could finish tight games in 2024-25 with Kennard as part of closing lineups, too. Though an exploitable defender both on and off the ball, the imminent threat of his jumper makes Kennard a snug fit in crunch-time units featuring Morant, Bane, Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. when Memphis needs points in a hurry.

Don't be surprised if the Grizzlies take a major leap up the standings this season, re-asserting themselves as a dangerous contender in the Western Conference following a 2023-24 campaign wasted by injuries.

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