Former Vol already sets an NBA record with his hometown team
Former Tennessee Vols guard Kennedy Chandler has been an NBA player for less than a month and he's already set a record. Chandler, who was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round (No. 38 overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, signed a four-year deal worth $7.1 million this week. $4.9 million of Chandler's […]
Former Tennessee Vols guard Kennedy Chandler has been an NBA player for less than a month and he's already set a record.
Chandler, who was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round (No. 38 overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, signed a four-year deal worth $7.1 million this week.
$4.9 million of Chandler's contract is guaranteed.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, it's the largest guaranteed salary ever for an American second-round pick.
Chandler played just one season at Tennessee. The Memphis native led the Vols in scoring at 13.9 points per game last season. He also averaged 2.2 steals per game.
Most mock drafts projected Chandler as a first-round pick, but he fell to the second-round due to his size (6-foot) and poor free-throw shooting (60.6 percent last season).
Chandler may not have great height, but he has an impressive wingspan that should allow him to be a quality defender in the NBA.
It's worth noting that Chandler and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul are the same height and had similar stats as true freshmen (though Paul was a significantly better free throw shooter, hitting 84.3 percent of his shots from the charity stripe). It's not fair to suggest that Chandler is going to be the next Chris Paul, but there are certainly some similarities that should be encouraging for Grizzlies fans.
If Chandler just becomes a dependable starter in the NBA, he'll be a massive steal as a second-round selection.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
