The Memphis Grizzlies have 28 games after the NBA All-Star break to determine where they will finish in the Western Conference standings. After finishing last season 27-55, the Grizzlies have already surpassed their win total by nine games with a 36-18 record.
The latest projections have them finishing as the two-seed in the Western Conference with a 54-28 record, which matches their seeding in their last two playoff appearances. However, the team has their sights set on loftier expectations as they lost in the second round in 2022, and the first round of the playoffs in 2023.
Their youth played a role as both series were lost in six games to veteran-laden and championship-proven teams in the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. While their best have gotten that experience and aged a little bit, they are still a relatively young team with no player over the age of 28 and five players in their current playing rotation with zero playoff experience.
Along with that pressure comes a couple of players who are set to hit free agency this summer, and their performance down the stretch of the season and in the playoffs could determine their future with the team.
1. Luke Kennard
The 6'5" sharpshooter re-signed with the Grizzlies last offseason on a one-year deal as the NBA market dried up with the hard cap rules. The Grizzlies wanted to preserve as much future flexibility as possible for the expected contract extension of Jaren Jackson Jr. that could become a supermax.
Luke Kennard has provided exactly what the Grizzlies needed from him, shooting 47.8% from three this season and 48.1% in his two years with the team. The problem is the attempts as he is only attempting 4.4 per game this season as opposed to 6.1 last season.
Of course, last season was injury-filled so he had more opportunities but he was brought in to let it fly with the stars and he has been inconsistent with doing just that. Add in the fact he only attempted 16 total three-pointers in their 2023 playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luke Kennard's future with the Grizzlies will ride on him getting his three-point shot attempts up.
2. Santi Aldama
The fourth-year former first-round draft pick is having a career year for the Grizzlies. He is averaging a career-high in points (12.8), rebounds (6.7), assists (2.6), field goal % (49.4), and three-point % (38.6) while remaining in the running for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.
While the Grizzlies' trade deadline move signaled a plan to retain the 7'0" forward as he enters restricted free agency this summer, the amount of money he will make will be dependent on his value for the rest of this season. Santi Aldama didn't look like he was ready for the moment in his first playoff appearance against the Lakers in 2023, and the team will need him to look the part if they want to make it far this season.
His future with the Grizzlies will likely hinge on his performance the rest of this season as he could be the headliner in a trade for the missing piece if he proves not to be that player for the Grizzlies in the playoffs this season.