Grizzlies Sign Second-Round Pick To Record 4-Year Deal

The Memphis Grizzlies were apparently quite pleased with their second-round pickup in this year's NBA Draft, as they've decided to lock up hometown kid Kennedy Chandler to a 4-year rookie contract.

Memphis Grizzlies No. 38 pick Kennedy Chandler has agreed to a four-year, $7.1 million rookie deal, his agent Ryan Davis tells @TheAthletic @Stadium. The contract contains the largest guaranteed salary – $4.94M – for an American second-round pick.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

The four-year deal is worth $7.1M, clocking in just a bit over the minimum, and is guaranteed for $4.94M. As pointed out by Shams Charania, that's the largest guaranteed salary ever for a second-round pick from the U.S.

He was actually selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 38th pick, but the Grizzlies acquired him in a draft-day trade, in exchange for the Los Angeles Lakers 2024 second-round pick that Memphis owned. 

Chandler slid a bit into the second-round, as he was projected on many draft board to go later in the first round. The 6-foot Memphis native is a true pass-first point guard, who stayed home for his freshman college year as well this past season, playing for Tennessee where he averaged 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals.

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