NBA's Best Three-Point Shooter Reacts Being on Trade Block

Memphis Grizzlies marksman Luke Kennard addresses trade rumors with looming deadline

Jan 27, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) is guarded by New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) in front of forward Brandon Clarke (15) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Memphis Grizzlies have gone from a lottery team this past offseason to now entering the month of February with a 32-16 record and a game back from overtaking the Houston Rockets as the second seed in the Western Conference. However, the trade deadline is approaching this coming Thursday, as the Grizzlies have a chance to make a move before staying put with their current roster.

While Jimmy Butler has been a player mentioned to the Grizzlies, it appears the Miami Heat star has no desire to head to Memphis. With the possibility of other trades on the board, Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard is an interesting trade piece given his expiring $9.25 million contract. He was recently asked about the situation, and his response was blunt.

Luke Kennard on the deadline: "I’ve been in rumors. I’ve been traded. I’ve seen it all. It’s a business at the end of the day.

“... I’m a Grizzly right now. That’s where I am at and it’s where I want to be. I want to help this team win as much as I can." https://t.co/4jUWlqBvmy

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 31, 2025

"I’m a Grizzly right now. That’s where I am at and it’s where I want to be," Kennard told Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian. "I want to help this team win as much as I can."

Whether or not the Grizzlies decide to trade Kennard, he'll be a valuable asset for whatever team he's on through the rest of the season. Seeing an uptick in minutes during January, he ended it with averages of 13.2 pints while shooting 55.2% from three.

Luke Kennard over his last 8 games:

- 15.3 PPG
- 60/57/88 splits
- 80% true shooting
- 7-1 record

He’s shooting 55% from three in January 😳 pic.twitter.com/UehAJiwbnU

— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) January 31, 2025

Since joining the Grizzlies via a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, he's remained a consistent bench scorer for the Grizzlies while making a handful of starts along the way. Across his 430 career games in the NBA, Kennard is a career 44.3% shooter from three.

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