Grizzlies collapse opens door for Spurs to make sneaky perfect signing

The Spurs may have had an adversity-filled season, but at least they didn't fire their head coach nine games before the start of the NBA Playoffs. That's what the Memphis Grizzlies did, and predictably, the team suffered for that brash decision.

Taylor Jenkins may not have been perfect, but he's a respected coach in this league, and it's hard to believe they wouldn't have looked better against the Oklahoma City Thunder than they did. Unfortunately for them, they reaped what they sowed and got swept.

Fortunately for San Antonio, their continued struggles mean it may finally be time to blow up that group. The Spurs could benefit from that in several ways. The first and most obvious advantage is that one of their rivals is imploding, removing an obstacle as they start their climb back to the mountaintop. The other is the possibility of poaching some of their talent.

San Antonio could go after Luke Kennard in free agency

Kennard was a free agent last offseason, and I hoped the Spurs would make him an offer, but that didn't happen. The reports at the time indicated that he wanted to return to Memphis, so that could have been a reason why they didn't make him an offer, but things have changed now. He only signed a one-year deal for $2 million, and that was for the best.

The Grizzlies spent time in the top half of the Western Conference standings but collapsed, falling to an eighth seed they never should have been at. That led to a horrendous matchup with the Thunder and with an interim coach (Tuomas Iisalo) who only had the job for a little over a week before the postseason, they never stood a chance.

Well, that means this Ja Morant-led Memphis team has only won one playoff series in five years, and that solo win came three years ago. It's time for some changes to that roster, and insiders have suggested that Morant could end up on the trading block due to the lack of success they've had in the postseason.

Well, if they're going to have a fire sale, there's no reason to believe they'll bring back Kennard, so the Spurs should go after him. He'll be an unrestricted free agent, and I don't know why he'd want to go back there anyway. Kennard shot 43.3% from three last season. That's one of the best percentages in the league.

San Antonio could add Kennard to their bench, and he'd instantly give players like Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson the space they need to wreak havoc in the paint. As dire as the Spurs' shooting was at times last season, the former Blue Devil would be a sight for sore eyes if he were to join the ranks.