Report: Franklin’s Kennard signs new one-year deal

Former Duke star entering eighth season in NBA
A basketball game called "One Special Game" was held for those with special needs during the Luke Kennard basketball camp at Camp Chautauqua Saturday, July 20, 2024. Camp attendees cheered on the players during the event. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

A basketball game called "One Special Game" was held for those with special needs during the Luke Kennard basketball camp at Camp Chautauqua Saturday, July 20, 2024. Camp attendees cheered on the players during the event. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Franklin High School graduate Luke Kennard agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to a report Wednesday by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Kennard, 28, averaged 11.0 points in 39 games last season for Memphis. The Grizzlies finished 27-55, ending a streak of two straight 50-win seasons.

Kennard, who played one season of college basketball at Duke, started his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons in 2017 after being drafted 12th overall and spent three seasons with them. The Pistons traded him to the Clippers in December 2020. The Clippers traded him to Memphis in February 2023.

According to Spotrac.com, Kennard has made $56,753,167 in his NBA career.

Kennard returned to the area in July for the Luke Kennard Basketball Camp, which attracted 306 kids.

Earlier this year, the Franklin Board of Education Monday approved the naming of the new high school’s basketball court as “Luke Kennard Court.”

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