Luke Kennard’s impact on the Lakers since joining them in February has extended beyond his league-leading three-point percentage.
The Lakers are 5-1 in the past six games with Kennard shooting a blazing 56.7% from three-point range. His constant motion and elite floor spacing has jump-started the Lakers’ offense. The transition from midseason acquisition to integral bench piece looks effortless.
Kennard’s Decision Making Praised
JJ Redick highlighted Kennard’s ability to make quick decisions. Redick said Kennard recognises when an advantage has been created, and then plays off that.
Redick added that some guys have to grow in that area, but “Luke, that’s what he does.”
Lakers’ Improved Three-Point Shooting
Before acquiring Kennard, the Lakers were shooting 34.9% from three, ranking 21st in the league. Since acquiring Kennard, the Lakers are shooting 39.2% from three-point range, ranking second in the NBA during that stretch.
Kennard is on track to become just the sixth NBA player to shoot 50% or better from three over an entire season. Redick stated that some NBA players couldn’t hit 50 out of 100 three-pointers in an empty gym.
Reunion and Excitement in Los Angeles
Redick has known Kennard for more than a decade. Kennard also has history with former Memphis teammates Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart and being in L.A., playing with the Clippers from 2020 to 2023.
Kennard said he “lit up inside,” when he heard he would be heading to the Lakers, who sent Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to Atlanta in the deal. Kennard said the organisation is “the biggest stage you can play on in basketball,” and he gets to share it with generational talents.
Impact of Playing with James and Doncic
Playing with Doncic and James has created some of the most open three-point shots Kennard has had in his career. When he gets one wide-open three early, that only helps his rhythm.
Then teams start to help too much on his shooting and that opens the paint. It’s the type of chain reaction Kennard watched with envy from the opposite sideline when Doncic, then with Dallas, was slicing up the Clippers in the playoffs.
The Lakers are still safely in the playoff race with a 39-25 record, but flirting with the play-in.