2 realistic landing spots for top Grizzlies trade candidates

Luke Kennard

Though injuries may currently be plaguing his second season in Memphis to this point, Luke Kennard is still widely considered one of the top shooters in the game today.

Boasting career averages of 20.8 points per 100 possessions while shooting 43.5 percent from deep, when at full strength the 27-year-old is a talent that could help any and all ball clubs that are in need of long-range shooting.

While his particular abilities would be a tremendous asset for the Grizzlies, there are plenty of other playoff-hungry squads in serious need of shooting that could be interested in pursuing his services.

Realistic landing spot: Sacramento Kings

Aside from being a team that could use a boost in the three-point department, a major qualification when it comes to being a realistic trade destination for Kennard is cap space, as his 2023-24 salary is $14.76 million and holds a $14.76 million club option for the 2024-25 season.

The Sacramento Kings are a squad that seems to fit such an archetype, as not only are they currently the seventh-worst long-range shooting team in the league (34.9 percent) but they also boast the ninth-lowest payroll and are the only such team in the bottom 10 to be seen as a legitimate playoff contender.

Even without a true marksman from deep, the Kings are still residing in the sixth seed out West with a record of 10-7 and are scoring the 10-most points per game this year (116.1). However, by adding a player such a Kennard, it likely would only make their offensive productivity more menacing as they look to thrust themselves into the title-contender conversation.