Former Duke Blue Devil Luke Kennard has finally gotten into a groove after months of passive play. He was signed over the summer to replace sharpshooting fan favorite, Bogdan Bogdanovic, so his hesitation was extremely detrimental to the Hawks’ success.
Now, he’s coming off three consecutive performances of 12 points or more. He’s increased his volume, and just the defensive gravity alone has increased the Hawks' spacing. It allows primary playmakers Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson to attack the paint while having a consistent shooter to pass to.
Kennard’s shot selection is very calculated and based on comfort. According to 3stepbasket.com, Luke excels at shooting from the right corner, averaging 42% this season. His best vantage point is on the left, near the top of the key, where he shoots an astronomical 64%.
Some teams have adapted to his playstyle, and in that time, we’ve seen Luke reveal new wrinkles to his game. He’s improved his ball handling, turning him into a versatile threat. Kennard is driving to the rim more than ever this year, and he’s raised his consistency, along with his confidence.
Luke is finishing his layups down the middle at a 52% clip, 67% on the right, and 80% on the left. He’s transformed into a pure scorer rather than a one-dimensional spot-up shooter, so the best course of action is to make Kennard a Hawk long-term.
Is Signing Cool Hand Luke for the long-term in the cards?
One of the best parts about Kennard’s signing is the team-friendly contract of $11 million. It’s clear that GM Onsi Saleh wanted to test out his abilities with this new core, and he’s proven he can be reliable when pulling the trigger.
Saleh could easily sign Kennard to a three-year $30 million contract, especially if they’re able to move Kristaps Porzingis. The former champion (2024) has played only 15 of 37 games for the Hawks and is unreliable due to the frequency of his illness.
On the contrary, the 29-year-old has played 32 games, and he has only gotten better as the season has progressed. His defense has also improved, but he will never be a lockdown defender.
Regardless, He has undoubtedly become a key part of the Hawks' rotation, and he would be a tremendous fit long-term. His vocal leadership has been massive for this young Hawks team, and they need an older voice in the locker room to establish a winning culture.