Entering the final year of his contract, John Konchar must prove his worth to the Memphis Grizzlies by improving his three-point shooting or risk being traded.
Bollywood Fever: The upcoming season is a pivotal one for Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward John Konchar, who enters the third and final year of his contract with much to prove.
While Konchar has demonstrated significant potential, he has yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor in Taylor Jenkins’ rotation, making this season a “now or never” moment for his NBA future.
Konchar’s long-term success in the league hinges on his ability to shoot from beyond the arc. Standing at 6’5″, the versatile wing saw his three-point shooting decline to 31.7% in the 2023-24 season, a significant drop from his performance in previous years.
This regression has raised concerns, particularly for a team like the Grizzlies that desperately needs more shooting depth to complement stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins has a clear need for reliable outside shooters, with Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard being the only consistent threats from deep currently in the rotation.
Konchar, who excels at moving without the ball to position himself for spot-up threes, could play a crucial role if he can regain his shooting touch.
The Grizzlies rely heavily on spacing to create opportunities for Morant and Jackson, and Konchar has sporadically shown the ability to provide that spacing. However, his inconsistency has limited his impact on the court.
How Konchar Earned His NBA Contract
Konchar’s journey to the NBA is one of persistence and gradual improvement. Of Czech, Hungarian, and Serbian descent, he went undrafted in 2019 but signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies. Over his first three seasons, Konchar made steady progress, with his stats improving each year.
This development led the Grizzlies to reward him with a three-year, $19 million contract extension on July 7, 2022. At the time, the deal was seen as low-risk with high potential upside, as Konchar continued to evolve, earning the respect and affection of his teammates, including stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Konchar’s Value as a Trade Asset
Despite his potential, Konchar has yet to solidify his place in the Grizzlies’ rotation. As a result, he found himself frequently mentioned in trade rumors last season, with teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers reportedly keeping an eye on him.
With his contract set to expire after this season, Konchar’s trade value is at its peak. If he struggles to secure a spot in the rotation early in the season, Memphis GM Zach Kleiman and his staff may be tempted to trade him to a contender in exchange for valuable assets.
As Konchar faces this critical season, his performance will determine whether he solidifies his future with the Grizzlies or becomes a key trade chip as Memphis looks to strengthen its roster for a playoff push.
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