The position of general manager in the NBA is about making tough decisions, and Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman might have to make another one this offseason. Following the Desmond Bane trade in June, the team made a boatload of moves to round out their roster to surround Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
However, they have been unfortunate with their alleged attempts to trade their longest-tenured depth piece, John Konchar. After agreeing to a buyout deal with recently acquired guard Cole Anthony on July 12th to open up the necessary cap space to complete their offseason moves, the team might have to cut ties with Konchar in the same fashion.
Jake Fischer mentioned John Konchar as a buyout option for the Grizzlies
Before Cole Anthony was officially bought out from the Grizzlies, Jake Fischer of The People's Insider mentioned the team could be looking to either him buy him out, buy Konchar out, or buy both out. The team was reportedly looking to trade Anthony to the Nets, but didn't want to attach a first round pick to make it happen.
Trading Konchar would require the same level of effort, leading to the team possibly considering shedding his salary with a buyout. John Konchar began his career as an undrafted free agent with the team in 2019 before signing a two-way contract that same year. He earned an active roster spot the next season and signed a three-year extension worth $18.4 million in 2023 that is haunting the Grizzlies now.
His yearly salary slot of $6.1 million as a depth piece is hurting the Grizzlies more than helping in this new hard cap era. His consistency as a dependable player whenever his name is called makes his importance to the Grizzlies warranted, but not at his salary. Memphis has reportedly been trying to trade him in a salary dump since last summer to no avail.
After Jaren Jackson Jr., he is tied for the longest-tenured Grizzlies player on the roster with Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke. Konchar's consistency as a low-volume spot-up three-point shooter, defender, and rebounder has been needed with their influx of injuries last season. However, the team is maxed out with 15 players and would be wise to open up a spot for a potential upgrade down the line.
Konchar has two years left on his deal, and if the team is unwilling to attach draft capital to a deal to salary dump him, they are better off buying him out. However, saying goodbye to a reliable bench player who's been with the franchise for a while is easier said than done.