UPDATE: Luke Kennard plans to sign a one-year, $11 million deal to join the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been linked loosely with unrestricted NBA free agent Luke Kennard. The Memphis Grizzlies guard will hit the open market when free agency begins today. NBA writer Mike Scotto lists Portland as one of several teams interested in Kennard’s services.
Sources: Luke Kennard is expected to draw interest from several teams in free agency, including the Nuggets, Hawks, Rockets, Knicks, Clippers, Blazers, and Pistons. As noted on @hoopshype, Kennard is not expected to return to the Grizzlies. He shot 43.3% on 3-pointers this season
The 6’5 guard is an eight-year NBA veteran. He’s played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons in addition to the Grizzlies. As Scotto noted, his 43.3% three-point shooting rate makes him desirable in the modern style of play. It’s bolstered by his 47.8% shooting clip from the field.
Kennard averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game over 65 appearances for the Grizzlies last season. He is 29 years old and is coming off of a one-year contract that earned him $9.3 million last year.