Luke Kennard's option is declined; what will the Grizzlies do in free agency?

The #Grizzlies declined the option for Luke Kennard, but are actually still expected to retain his services. This episode talks about that potential decision, plus looks at some other free agent options the Grizzlies could (or should) pursue.
Also: rookie introductions, Summer League news, Western Conference player movement, and more!
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[@grizzliespod]

Goga Bitadze now gone (stayed with Magic 3y/$25m) De'Anthony Melton now gone (to Warriors, 1y/$12.8m)

[@Eagle8]

We're really dragging our feet here!

[@CosmicRx7]

We haven't done shit so far

[@kylemoak3747]

They got a veteran impact player last offseason, M Smart. VW is ready to be our SF. Edey is an older draft pick, and giant bigs like him are in their prime at his age. We are set up for success even with the current roster, especially if we keep our sniper, Kennard. This is a win now team that looks dangerous imo. Get excited!

[@DetroitTyler]

you nailed it. We don't need to make moves, we have a few high caliber bench players. Edey is a plug and play center. And Ja had surgery and almost had 2 years off due to suspension and injuries so he should be healthier than ever. Without really making a move we are still a playoff bound team.

[@na_k]

Sorry, but 2nd & 3rd year wings with no playoff experience isn't a formula for a title. Neither is depending on so many young guys vs. having vet players in those roles. Looking at the rosters of the previous champions confirms this.

[@kylemoak3747]

@@na_k there’s been a lot of talk about too much youth, but my view is that Ja, Jaren, Bane, Clarke, Smart, Kennard ARE vets. And our “young guns” are VW and Edey who both played a lot of college, so they’re older. I’d rather be young than old, i.e. Warriors, Lakers, Clippers. Grizz are a veteran team, that are also young haha

[@na_k]

​​​​​@@kylemoak3747I'd absolutely rather be the Grizz than the teams you mentioned, lol. But those aren't the elite teams, those would be the Nuggets, Mavs, T'Wolves, and Thunder. Grizz should be building to compete with them and shore up the rotation. The Grizz should add another vet or 2 to the rotation if they want to win a title. Young teams don't win championships and depending on inexperienced players in the playoffs like GG, Edey and VWJ is risky. No teams recently have won a title w/o a 6'7" or taller vet wing in the rotation. Last team to do so was the 1994 Rockets. Unless the Griz expect to buck a trend or Ziaire will be in the rotation (which no one believes, including Kleiman, lol), the Grizz don't currently have that.

[@creswag]

My hope is for Memphis to trade Konchar and Aldama for a serviceable wing. Then, sign a big.

[@SteadyAscension]

We have entered the darkest timeline 😢. Save money and do nothing of significance

[@terrancemorgan1743]

I hope they find a way to add 2 veterans, maybe even experimenting with Kennard as a point guard. Drummond signed for $5M and Delon for $3.3M-together that's less than what Kennard is asking for. The Grizzlies need to find two cheap credible vets in spots where needed. By now they could have possibly signed both Andre Drummond and Delon Wright at a cheaper price added assurance and saved money. Cam Spencer is Kennard 2.0 with defense.

[@robertbarnett1984]

100% agree.

[@LUC4Z3]

In my fanfiction, they manage a sign n trade with Orlando to get WCJ. Edit: Or do the same with the Pistons to get Fontechio.

[@grizzliespod]

I’m in!

[@kobehamilton-reeves6374]

Why haven’t we done anything yet :( I feel like we’re not gonna do anything 😖

[@Eagle8]

It appears that way.

[@na_k]

Yeah, probably not. It appears to just be all talk from Kleiman. :(

[@BnaBreaker]

Apparently the answer to that question is: "jack s***"... this FO can be so frustrating at times.

[@carlosxnascimento]

I’d love to have SlowMo back

[@terrancemorgan1743]

I'd like to see the team add some proven talent for the playoffs. The roster feels lopsided with too many wings and weak spots at PG and center. Adding Delon Wright and Goga Bitadze would have been wise for assurance. Let's see what they will do.

[@Eagle8]

Still waiting!!!!

[@na_k]

Even as Kleiman said it was a mistake, and stated they were "..willing to spend.." , the answer appears to be quintuple down on youth. ☹️ Allowing Kennard to hold one hostage is not the behavior of title-contending organizations. Would think 4 years is ample time to learn from mistakes. It makes no sense how inexperienced and arrogant the Grizzlies organization continues to be.

[@parkershewmaker783]

What happened to Lamar Steven’s? Is he not on the team anymore? I can’t remember what/if anything happened to him

[@Eagle8]

You can't call Aldama a big and Jemison is a career G-League player. Neglecting bigs is why we're in our situation. A legitimate backup big should be in order. Drew Eubanks would have been ideal. He signed with Phoenix today for 10 million and two years. Did we even try.

[@CovertGhoul]

Denver probably going to throw money at Kyle Anderson after losing KCP. Jokic really liked Kyle Anderson's play in the playoffs.

[@carltonberry137]

Wait a little while first before freaking out about the roster. Kennard is currently not on the team. And the likelihood of Konchar and Z. Williams are probably not going to be in the team..

[@dangeloquinn5878]

Sign Kennard and roll with it! Jemison is a serviceable big for the reg season. Adjust at the trade deadline if needed! I like the chemistry in the locker room. Don't give up on Jake and Zaire. I think we are good!

[@na_k]

Jemison nor Ziaire are NBA players. Jake is barely one. Having that kind of dead weight in a rotation is not the way to winning. Simple exercise: Go through all 16 playoff teams' rotations, would these 3 get any playoff mins? Is there anyone these 3 are better than? I think that's clearly a no.

[@dangeloquinn5878]

@na_k no team has 16 players that are playoff ready! Those guys are still young enough to grow and are cheap contracts. Most teams only go 8 deep in the playoffs. Wait to the trade deadline. No need to over pay anyone right now!

[@AKWuzHere]

Go for claxton it's what was reported a target for us

[@SteadyAscension]

Sam Presti > Zach Klienman

[@na_k]

As much as I dislike OKC, this is absolutely a fact. Presti has learned from his mistakes, is just as good, if not better than Zach at drafting and developing. He's also worlds better at pulling the trigger in trades, and isn't afraid to get rid of guys. He doesn't grow attached to players like Ziaire, Santi, and LaRavia, and wouldn't let players like Kennard hold him hostage like Kleiman is doing.

[@Mario-mg7ir]

Dwight Howard could come off the bench

[@rayr6405]

John Conchar and not Luke Kennard as a SG?Hilarious!

[@grizzliespod]

No clue what this is in reference to!

[@YahushaisYahuahssalvation]

Go after Tillman again. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ShadowX2406]

Not an option. A team cannot sign a player who was traded from said team for 1 full year per CBA rules.