Luke Kennard had an impressive half-season run with the Los Angeles Lakers after being acquired at the 2026 NBA trade deadline for peanuts (Gabe Vincent) and a second-round pick. It did not prove to be enough to ultimately secure a long-term future in Hollywood for the Luka Doncic era.
Shams Charania reported: "Free agent sharpshooter Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, with a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN."
$6.5 million over two years would have been an affordable price for the Lakers to pay if they truly wanted to keep Kennard in town. The fact that they did not pony up that money indicates a clear shift in the mindset on how to best equip Doncic and his co-star, Austin Reaves, for long-term success in Los Angeles.
The defensive problems Kennard brings to any lineup he is in was clearly a factor in the decision to let him walk. There is natural reason to like what the former Laker offers on the offensive end of the court, but it was not enough to overlook the underwhelming fit overall.
Luke Kennard joining the Suns shows the Lakers are prioritizing two-way impact
Kennard led the NBA in 3-point percentage during the 2025-26 season with a ridiculous 47.8 percent from beyond the arc. Even if it was coming on only 3.1 attempts per game, that kind of shooting threat opens up the interior for the Lakers stars.
Both Doncic and Reaves love to attack the basket. Having a floor spacer like Kennard out there forces opposing defenses to make tough decisions on what they are more willing to give up on any given play.
The problem is that any lineup featuring Doncic, Reaves, and Kennard would immediately encounter significant challenges themselves when it comes to defense.
It is true that the concerns on that end for Doncic and Reaves are overblown. Even so, it just becomes hard to mask those two plus Kennard whenever they are all on the floor together. That gives the Lakers an unfavorable double-edged sword when trying to play the trio together for long stretches.
Los Angeles has found themselves connected to a player like Quentin Grimes as a potential replacement for Kennard in the rotation. Grimes may not have the shooting upside of Kennard, but there is a much safer defensive floor with him on the court.
That right there should give as clear of a sign as any regarding what the Lakers are envisioning for the final version of this roster when the dust settles on free agency. There is a demand for role players who can be two-way contributors.
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