When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luke Kennard, it was widely seen as a marginal move given the roster could have used more two-way players instead.
The Lakers flipped Gabe Vincent’s expiring contract for Kennard’s, but the move has paid off in spades as the sharpshooting veteran has given the offense a major shot in the arm. Kennard helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff victories against the Houston Rockets and remains a pivotal part of the rotation.
Kennard is set to hit free agency this summer and the Lakers are reportedly eager to keep him in the building, via NBA insider Jake Fischer:
It is increasingly anticipated leaguewide that the Lakers will want to retain the recently acquired Luke Kennard after his strong first-round series against Houston.
Kennard is playing on an expiring $11 million contract after arriving in a February trade from Atlanta in what was initially billed as the low-cost rental of a shooter for the rest of this season. More and more, though, I’m hearing rival team strategists project Kennard to be part of the Lakers’ future plans.
Kennard will be a non-Bird free agent, but there are multiple pathways that the Lakers could explore to keep him in the fold in a nod to the role he has earned in purple and gold under fellow Duke alumnus JJ Redick.
Los Angeles will have cap space available to give Kennard a slight raise on the $11 million deal he’s currently playing on, as well as guaranteed playing time under head coach JJ Redick. Kennard recently explained why his partnership with Redick has been so great and that should be a solid factor in Los Angeles’ pitch to sign him in free agency.
It’s easy to envision how the Lakers can be successful with Kennard back in the fold as he opens the floor up offensively, but also can credibly serve as another ball-handler and playmaker if needed. He is a natural fit next to the “Big 3” of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves should make him a priority once free agency kicks off.
Luke Kennard doing whatever it takes to help Lakers win
Kennard started his Lakers tenure as an off-ball shooter coming off screens and pin downs to get his looks. Redick then asked him to assume more ball-handling duties when Doncic and Reaves got hurt and he responded with his best stretch wearing the purple and gold.
Kennard explained that he’s doing whatever it takes to help the Lakers win games and so far he’s done that and more.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
