The Los Angeles Lakers took a serious gamble on veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard. Kennard's defensive inconsistency aligns with the same reason JJ Redick has seemingly deprioritized Dalton Knecht, but his efficiency from beyond the arc is effectively second to none.
Though there are still issues to resolve, Kennard is already revealing how he can help franchise player Luka Doncic reach another level: By anchoring a second unit that can finally alleviate pressure from the superstar.
Kennard has played four games with the Lakers since being traded to Los Angeles by the Atlanta Hawks. The early signs have been incredibly promising, as he's averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 three-point field goals made per game on .625/.455/1.000 shooting.
Kennard has scored in double figures in two of his four appearances, tallying eight points in 18 minutes and seven points on five shots in the two others.
The most intriguing element of Kennard's early success is that the three-point shot he's known for mastering hasn't been his primary weapon. He's made multiple threes just once in four games, and yet he's already making his mark on the team.
With an elite jump shot, the ability to create for his teammates, and an underrated ability and willingness to attack off the bounce, Kennard is the sixth man the Lakers desperately needed.
Luke Kennard already proving he can be sixth man Lakers needed
Prior to Kennard's debut, the Lakers ranked dead last in bench points per game at a mere 28.0. In the four games he's played, however, Los Angeles is averaging 44.5 bench points per game—a stunning increase of 16.5.
That's clearly an ambitious number to aspire to sustain, but the Lakers' inability to field a reserve who can consistently put points on the board appears to have been rectified.
Context, of course, is that Austin Reaves has spent time with the second unit as he returns from an extended injury absence. As such, the aforementioned number should decline. What Kennard offers, however, is a chance to sustain some level of offensive consistency.
In addition to shooting a league-leading 49.5 percent from beyond the arc on the season, Kennard is averaging 5.7 drives per game during his brief tenure with the Lakers.
Luke Kennard can space the floor, drive, and create for others
That's a far higher number than most anticipated considering his reputation as a pure spot-up shooter. Much as his new head coach revealed offensive versatility late in his NBA career, however, Kennard is on track to do the same.
Kennard quietly averaged 5.3 assists per 36 minutes in 2024-25 and has the talent to build upon that success with the Lakers' second unit.
If Kennard manages to do so, then the Lakers will finally have the proverbial hub for the second unit's offense. Knecht is a scorer, Rui Hachimura provides well-rounded value, and Marcus Smart offers undying intensity, but Kennard is the rare contributor who can score efficiently and create for others.
If that trend plays out as hoped, then pressure will be alleviated from Doncic and the MVP candidate will have a much easier time pacing himself through games and reaching his next level.