The Los Angeles Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick to get Luke Kennard from the Hawks before the deadline, and their win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night showed why. Giving up a draft pick for an expiring contract is always risky. Fans were upset when Dorian Finney-Smith walked after half a season in LA, but Pelinka looks smart after Kennard helped unlock the Lakers.
They had lost three straight and desperately needed a win against the shorthanded Warriors. The purple and gold have two gigantic flaws that have been holding them back. Their lack of shooting and atrocious defense are problems, but fans saw that making threes can mitigate those concerns. The Lakers sank 19 and shot 46 percent from long range as they dominated Golden State in the Bay Area.
Kennard can single-handedly change the Lakers' fortunes if he becomes a volume shooter. He made four of seven on Saturday night and had fans dreaming of what could be.
Luke Kennard shows what the Lakers can do when they make shots
Kennard has the second-best 3-point percentage in NBA history. There is no questioning his elite shooting, but the knock has always been the attempts. He took four in his Lakers debut and averaged less than two over his next seven games. The Lakers are 23rd in 3-pointers made, and 24th in threes attempted on the season. They need volume and got a dominant win when Kennard delivered it.
The 6’5 wing is not just a spot-up shooter. Fans have quickly been impressed with his ability to attack a closeout and make a heads-up play. Kennard has some absurd shooting numbers as the floor is wide open in Los Angeles. Teams are selling out to stop Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, which has allowed Kennard to feast.
The newest Laker finished with 16 points, three assists, three rebounds, and one steal on Saturday night. He went six of ten from the field, including making four 3-pointers, and was plus-14 in his 27 minutes of action.
Fans could easily see why the Lakers wanted him. Kennard can solve one of the team’s fatal flaws by himself. He took six 3-pointers per game in 2024, and Los Angeles needs that volume to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference.
Luka gives them a puncher’s chance against anyone, but Kennard unlocks a different level for the purple and gold. Doncic plus shooting and defense equals title contender. He proved that in Dallas and is eager to show Lakers fans.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move in acquiring Luke Kennard’s expiring contract, and fans found out why in the win over the Warriors. LA finally looked like a dominant team, and fans know shot-making is crucial in the modern NBA.
Kennard may stick if he increases his volume. He is an elite shooter. Now, he just needs to buy into his role with the Lakers. Fans hope this was the first sign of him doing just that.