Mar 3, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Hawks Sign Ex-Clippers, Grizzlies Sharpshooter to Deal

Originally posted on Memphis Grizzlies on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 9:33 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks have both been active early in the NBA offseason, making multiple big deals. Even before the draft, the Grizzlies sent out Desmond Bane for a haul of draft picks, and the Hawks made a shrewd move to bring in Kristaps Porzingis while keeping their large trade exception open.

Atlanta then used that trade exception at the start of free agency in a sign-and-trade to bring in Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Because they used their trade exception on Alexander-Walker, they still had their midlevel exception open to use on a priority free agent.

Free agent sharpshooter Luke Kennard has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell ESPN. Kennard has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and Atlanta negotiated the new deal with CAA's Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn. pic.twitter.com/630xGDjmuo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

The Hawks used most of that exception to sign former Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Kennard will bring even more shooting to surround Trae Young with. Young apparently called both Alexander-Walker and Kennard to recruit them to Atlanta.

Kennard is coming off a season averaging 8.9 PPG while shooting 43.9% from three-point range with the Memphis Grizzlies last year. But, putting a career 44% shooter from deep next to Young can only be a good idea.

Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Atlanta is seemingly going all in for next season with what looks to be a wide-open Eastern Conference and Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard that will likely keep them out for all of next season.

The Hawks are looking at a starting lineup of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu, with a bench of Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard. That has the potential to be a real contender and finally get them out of the Play-In hell they've been in for the last few years.

This article first appeared on Memphis Grizzlies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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