Why Rockets Should Sign Grizzlies' Luke Kennard in Free Agency

Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard could be a free agent this summer. Could the Houston Rockets sign him?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 24, 2024

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The Houston Rockets could use some oomph in the 3-point shooting department.

As a team, the Rockets shoot just a smidge above 35 percent, good enough for the 27th-best clip in the NBA.

This could lead to some free agency shopping for shooting, and Bleacher Report suggests Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard as an option.

"Assuming Thompson and Green show enough to be trusted into 2024-25, Houston might opt instead for a pure shooter like Kennard to space the floor," Bleacher Report writes. "Neither of those young guards commands a ton of attention as a three-point shooter right now, so someone with Kennard's outside shooting ability could bring some balance to the roster."

Kennard, 27, averages 10.5 points for the Grizzlies this season while shooting 45.5 percent beyond the arc. Only Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen shoots at a better rate.

The Rockets can only sign Kennard, however, if the Grizzlies choose to decline his $14.7 million option for next season. Memphis is one season removed from finishing second in the West, but injuries this season have derailed them and pushed them to the bottom of the barrel. However, if they plan to be back among the contenders next season, having Kennard around to help with spacing for Ja Morant would be key.

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However, they may decide to cut their losses and get a better bargain player instead. And if that's the case, the Rockets should be one of Kennard's first phone calls in free agency this summer.

Published Feb 24, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.