The Memphis Grizzlies have consistently been a team that punches above its weight. That's thanks to a combination of youthful exuberance and gritty determination. As the 2024 NBA free agency period comes to a close, the Grizzlies' front office has been active in enhancing their roster to make up for last season's frustrations. With a mix of strategic signings aimed at bolstering their defense, adding shooting depth, and bringing in experienced veterans, Memphis is setting its sights on a deeper playoff run. Let's delve into the grades for each of the Grizzlies' free agency acquisitions.
2024 Memphis Grizzlies Priorities
It might seem surprising that a team with only 27 wins doesn’t have an extensive list of needs. However, that’s exactly the situation for Memphis as they entered the offseason. Still, one glaring necessity is improving their rebounding. Jaren Jackson Jr's struggles on the glass are well-documented. The team desperately needs a big, physical center who can turn the tide in the rebounding battle in favor of the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies are financially constrained, though. That's thanks to the combined salaries of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jackson, and Marcus Smart amounting to over $116 million. They’re currently projected to be around $4 million over the luxury tax threshold. That's even before factoring in the potential salary of their seventh overall draft pick.
They held a team option on Luke Kennard worth nearly $15 million. Declining this option would alleviate some financial pressure, but that was not really an easy decision given Kennard’s valuable shooting skills.
If the Grizzlies decide to clear some cap space to avoid the luxury tax penalty, then trading Ziaire Williams makes sense. That's exactly what they did. Jon Konchar, also earning $6.1 million, remains another candidate for a trade.
This isn't a scenario where the Grizzlies will adopt a wait-and-see approach. They are not focused solely on culture-building and delaying their pursuit of success. Despite their youth, they've already experienced the playoffs and have now strengthened their rotation with several key additions. Sure, they have a long window for contention. That said, they are eager to establish themselves among the elite teams in the Western Conference. Expect them to make a significant impact in the league next season.
Here we will put out some of our grades for every player the Memphis Grizzlies signed in the 2024 NBA Free Agency.
Re-signing Luke Kennard
The Grizzlies have re-signed wing Luke Kennard. He has played in 63 games (25 starts) since being acquired from the LA Clippers in 2023. During this time, he has averaged 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 25.2 minutes per game. Kennard has been highly efficient. He has shot 47.5 percent from the field, 48.3 percent from three-point range, and 90.6 percent from the free-throw line.
The 28-year-old sharpshooter has maintained a 43.9 percent three-point shooting percentage over his seven-year career. He leads all active NBA players and ranks third in NBA history among qualifiers. Kennard led the NBA in three-point percentage during the 2021-22 season (44.9 percent) and the 2022-23 season (49.4 percent). He is the second player ever to lead the league in consecutive seasons. He also ranked second in this category during the 2023-24 season (45.0 percent). Kennard will remain one of the Grizzlies' main floor-spacing weapons.
Grade: B
Acquiring Mamadi Diakite
Not surprisingly, the Grizzlies traded forward Ziaire Williams and the Dallas Mavericks’ 2030 second-round draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets. That was in exchange for forward Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic.
This trade primarily serves as a salary dump for the Grizzlies. By offloading Williams' $6.1 million guaranteed salary, they create more cap space below the luxury tax threshold. This helped facilitated the re-signing of Kennard.
Recall that Williams faced limited playing time in Memphis after shooting a career-low 39.7 percent from the field last season. The Grizzlies also have a surplus of forwards. These include GG Jackson, Jake LaRavia, Brandon Clarke, Vince Williams Jr., Santi Aldama, and 2024 second-round pick Jaylen Wells. Add Diakite to that list now, too. Despite the financial benefit, trading away a former 10th overall pick and giving up a future draft pick without significant return is a tough pill to swallow.
Grade: C
Looking Ahead
Overall, the Memphis Grizzlies' approach to the 2024 NBA free agency was marked by strategic moves aimed at addressing some of their immediate needs while managing financial constraints. The re-signing of Luke Kennard secures a top-tier shooter who can significantly impact their offensive spacing. Acquiring Mamadi Diakite, despite the cost of losing a former top-10 pick, aligns with their need to dump some salary.
The Grizzlies have made thoughtful decisions to balance their roster. They want to build a competitive team that can make a significant leap forward in the upcoming season. Yes, some moves may carry risks. However, the overall strategy reflects a commitment to growth and a clearer path toward playoff contention.
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