The Los Angeles Lakers have made a small but key splash Thursday, trading Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard.
Lakers Acquire Perimeter Marksman in First Deadline Move
Kennard Could Fix Bench Scoring Woes
A nine-year veteran and former Duke Blue Devil, Kennard has averaged 7.9 points and 2.2 rebounds across 46 games off the bench. Known primarily for his perimeter prowess, he has shot a career-best 49.7% from three this season on 3.2 attempts per game.
The Lakers have notoriously struggled from the perimeter even with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. While the trio has each shot a respectable mark from distance (Reaves at 36%, Doncic 34.8%, James 32.2%), the same could not be said for the supporting cast, making Kennard’s acquisition all the more important. The 29-year-old has been a reliable bench asset throughout his career, and will now look to fill that role for the worst offensive second-unit in the league (and second-worst group when it comes to three-point shooting).
Kennard’s Lone (Yet Significant) Flaw
For all of Kennard’s potential to help with perimeter scoring, the issue is that shooting is the veteran’s lone strong suit. He likely won’t do much to address the team’s rebounding or defensive issues, making another move—either via trade or the buyout market—a priority for the Lakers’ front office going forward.
Still, it’s encouraging to see the Lakers get an upgrade over Vincent, who simply never panned out after LA signed him to a three-year, $33 million deal in the summer of 2023. In 112 games over two and a half seasons, Vincent averaged 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists on .381/.341/.765 splits. He will get a fresh start on a revamped Hawks team, who will absorb his salary as part of a leftover trade exception for Bogdan Bogdanovic.
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