The Grizzlies drafted three players during the 2024 NBA Draft: Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer. Edey was picked 9th and essentially granted the starting center job immediately after being drafted. Jaylen Wells was picked 39th and received a guaranteed contract with the team as a projected depth piece, before injuries granted him the opportunity to become a starter.
While Edey and Wells went on to receive accolades as All-Rookie 1st team members following their rookie seasons, the 53rd overall pick, Cam Spencer, had to carve out another path. He signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies, but an early ankle injury limited him to only eight games with their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.
He ultimately played 24 games with the Grizzlies, with his most notable game coming against the Phoenix Suns when he trash-talked Kevin Durant. Many people widely assumed that Spencer was drafted as Luke Kennard's replacement after he finished out his one-year contract, and the Grizzlies followed that exact path to the results that have them vindicated in their decision.
Spencer has been an upgrade over Kennard
Though his time was limited last season, Spencer made waves with a 51-point game in the G League last December. Following his rookie season, the Grizzlies made him a priority by signing him to a four-year, $10.5 million contract when the signing period began. They also allowed Luke Kennard to walk as he signed with the Atlanta Hawks.
Kennard's time with the Grizzlies saw him average 10 points on 46.2% shooting from three in three seasons with the team. However, his time had soured by the end as he averaged only 4.0 three-point attempts in his final season, a knock he has had with every team he has been with throughout his career.
Now, Kennard is only averaging 3.3 attempts from three with the Hawks, which had their fanbase in shambles at the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, Cam Spencer is shooting 46.5% from three on 4.8 attempts per game for the Grizzlies this season. He is also displaying better playmaking ability with 3.9 assists per game, a number Luke Kennard never achieved during his time in Memphis.
The Grizzlies knew they had a hidden gem when selecting Spencer in the draft last offseason. He and the team were patient with his development as they tried to make a run towards the top of the Western Conference last season before falling off in the end. Luke Kennard's role in that fall made their decision easy this offseason to give the keys to Cam Spencer, and he is proving them right every time he steps on the court.