The Memphis Grizzlies and Luke Kennard have long been assumed to be headed towards a separation as the sharpshooter heads into free agency for the second consecutive season. The team assigned jersey numbers to their new draft picks, and Kennard's number for his two-and-a-half season with the team was assigned to their second-round pick, Javon Small.
The Grizzlies selected Small with the 48th overall pick of the NBA draft on Thursday night out of West Virginia to likely begin his career on a two-way contract. The 6'2" guard out of West Virginia will add depth to the Grizzlies' backcourt with only Ja Morant and Scotty Pippen Jr. under contract as returning primary ball handlers.
While Javon Small's insertion into the organization likely signaled the end of Cole Anthony's time before it got started with the Grizzlies, Luke Kennard's fate is definitely sealed following a disappointing end to both his and the team's season collectively.
The Grizzlies already drafted Luke Kennard's replacement
Memphis is a forward-thinking organization, although it doesn't always work out the way they envision. With this in mind, they selected University of Connecticut guard Cam Spencer with the 53rd overall pick of the draft last season. They signed him to a two-way contract as an additional ball handler and sharpshooter to develop.
The team eventually agreed on a contract to retain Luke Kennard for what they figured to be a championship-contending season. However, with only a one-year deal and a younger, cheaper option who is presumably a better defender and playmaker on the roster, Kennard's time with the team was always likely to be finished after the season.
The Grizzlies reportedly were in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith for Luke Kennard and John Konchar before the Lakers swooped in to grab him in December. This signaled that Kennard's expiring contract was meant to either be included in a deal of that caliber or utilized as the three-point shooting specialist for one last run, as Cam Spencer gained reps in the G League with spot duty on the main roster.
With the Grizzlies' salary cap room slated to execute Jaren Jackson Jr.'s extension, and general manager Zach Kleiman placing a priority on obtaining two-way guards and wings throughout the roster, Kennard's fate was already sealed before the jersey number was revealed for Javon Small. The Grizzlies' style of preparing for the future continues, and they are hoping the new collection of talent lives up to the success of their 2024 draft picks.