Luke Kennard has transformed the Lakers in ways no one else could

When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick, the deal was viewed as a win for Rob Pelinka. They were adding one of the league's top 3-point snipers. After a couple of seasons playing for terrible basketball teams, it was easy to forget just how good Kennard can be when surrounded by a star-studded roster.

Kennard has always had a high basketball IQ. He knows how to pick his spots, and is a knockdown shooter. Pair that with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, and that ability can help transform a team.

Since Kennard's arrival, the Lakers have been a much harder team to scheme for. Having a real knockdown 3-point shooter on the wings means way fewer double teams are sent at Luka. This is not the whole reason The Don is on the tear he is right now, but Kennard's presence has helped create an easier environment offensively for Luka.

Luke Kennard is changing how teams defend the Lakers

Against the Orlando Magic, what led to Kennard's game-winner was a prime example of how his arrival has moved the margins. As mentioned with Kennard on the court, Luka sees fewer double teams because help defenders can't leave Kennard open like they could with Vincent.

When Luka is in the midst of recording his ninth-straight 30-plus point game, it's hard not to do what Orlando did on the final play, which is send two.

Now with Kennard, unlike in the past with Vincent, when these situations happen, Luka can feel comfortable making the extra pass and hitting his shooter.

The actions haven't changed, but the results have. The same plays and sets being called for Kennard are the same ones that used to be run for Vincent. The difference is that with Kennard, these actions are converting into points far more often. Actions like Finland, which essentially stacks a ball screen with a screen-the-screener action, are leading to consistent open 3-point looks.

What makes Kennard so deadly is his ability not just to be efficient from beyond the arc but also to make the right read and punish defenses all over the court. If the season ended today, StatMuse noted no one would in NBA history would have better all-around shooting splits than his 54.7 percent from the field, 48.6 percent from three-point range, and 91.7 percent from the free-throw line.

These shooting numbers aren't just because he mastered his stroke—it's because he rarely makes the wrong read.

He knows how to read and react to what the defense gives him. The Lakers swapped Vincent, who is a streaky shooter at best, for one of the league’s best shooters and a high-IQ player. Kennard was built for JJ Redick's winning system.