Luke Kennard on joining Memphis Grizzlies, playing with Ja Morant

It didn't take long for Luke Kennard to see that the Memphis Grizzlies are a fun group. Consider Steven Adams shouting friendly advice after practice Tuesday as Kennard tied with Desmond Bane and Kennedy Chandler to win a free throw challenge

"I'm going to teach him how to shoot free throws," Steven Adams yelled across the court.

Kennard, a career 87.4% free throw shooter, laughed it off. Adams has struggled with free throws in his career but the exchange revealed how easily Kennard was welcomed after being traded to Memphis last Thursday.

Ahead of his home debut Wednesday against the Utah Jazz (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast), Kennard admired how hard the Grizzlies played every night. Now that he's seen their youthful energy up close, he's felt more comfortable fitting in and finding his role.

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"They enjoy being around each other. They have fun and they love to win and compete," Kennard said. "I'm excited to be a part of it and just hopefully bring a little bit of my game to what they have and hopefully it helps out a little bit."

Kennard had a quiet debut Sunday with just four points on four shots in 22 minutes. Coach Taylor Jenkins said he was given a shell of the team's system and admired how well he picked it up after a day.

The goal, of course, is for Kennard to be another elite shooter to bolster the second unit or pair with Bane in certain lineups. For now, he's learning where to find his spots on the floor and also playing alongside Ja Morant.

Kennard played with All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during his Los Angeles Clippers tenure. But while they're more 1-on-1 type players, Morant's playmaking presents a new way for Kennard to think about getting open.

"He's fast. He's real fast-paced and (it's) something I got to get used to and get more comfortable with but it's really good," Kennard said. "For me in my game, like what I do, how I move and space the floor and be a knockdown shooter, I think for me to get up to his speed of play, it's just going to open things up for him even more or it's going to open up shots for me."

There are also other adjustments, like moving his wife and dog to Memphis. But Kennard also couldn't wait to enjoy FedExForum as a home player after hearing the crowd Friday when he arrived in town and watched from the bench.

"I've always loved playing here. I know the energy in the arena is always good but first home game, as always, there's always something special," Kennard said. "Hopefully we get a win in the process of it and go out into All-Star break with some good energy."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Luke Kennard on joining Memphis Grizzlies, playing with Ja Morant