About a month ago, Luke Kennard was almost done with his time as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. A trade involving himself and John Konchar being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith was nearing completion. Then, at the 11th hour, the Los Angeles Lakers swooped in and picked off DFS. Kennard (and Konchar) stayed in Memphis.
Since that time, Kennard has been playing some of the best basketball of his Grizzlies tenure. In the month of January, Kennard is shooting an electric 55% from beyond the arc. He’s also averaging almost four assists a game through that stretch of play, and overall this season he is scoring 138 points per 100 shot attempts according to Cleaning the Glass.
Do you think the Grizzlies front office is sad the DFS trade fell through? Probably not.
Kennard’s recent run of success may change the way the Memphis front office, coaching staff, and fans see Kennard’s worth this season. His expiring salary of about $9 million is a wonderful tool to make trades work. The pairing with Konchar for Finney-Smith made sense from both a roster construction and salary cap perspective. DFS’ theoretical fit as a combo forward on this roster logically aligns better than what Kennard (and Konchar) provide.
But then, Luke goes nuclear over the past month and reminds us all that he is one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. How wise is it to trade that?
A fair question to ask.
It’s important to acknowledge that the recent run of success for Luke has more often than not happened against inferior competition. Kennard’s performances against better, more physical perimeter teams is what has most Grizzlies followers concerned. For those are the teams Memphis will have to get through to make a real playoff run.
While Kennard’s shooting “gravity” must be respected, will he be able to create shots for himself and others against more physically gifted teams?
Perhaps. But has been said often, availability is the greatest ability. And while Kennard still has his flaws, at least he’s available. Marcus Smart remains out for Memphis, and it’s gotten to the point where Jay Huff in half a season has played more than Marcus Smart has in a season and a half.
Kennard still probably isn’t longed for this Grizzlies world. Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer are poised to take that role and run with it in the years to come. So to say Kennard is “untouchable” in any trade talks is silly. But Luke’s reminder to us all of what he’s capable of as a shooter and secondary facilitator should mean he’s a plan B trade moving forward.
Marcus Smart, John Konchar, and a 1st round pick or two. That’s the new starting point for a trade - or at least it should be. If a team wants Kennard and the price is right (less draft capital sent out by Memphis), so be it.
But Luke has helped Memphis win. That must be under consideration as the trade deadline approaches.
