Luke Kennard, Los Angeles Lakers
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Luke Kennard, Los Angeles Lakers
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Los Angeles Lakers swung a trade to acquire Luke Kennard. The sharpshooting guard will provide some much-needed additional floor spacing for JJ Redick’s rotation.
Shortly after the trade was reported, Gilbert Arenas took to social media to share his frustration with the move.
“At this point, I’m just going to take matters into my own hands. Every hooper that can still hoop, we’re going to go down to Crypto Center and we’re just going to go try out because at this point they’re allowing anybody on the team,” Arenas said. “What happened to the names? The names made the Lakers…He was a Clipper before! F–k him!”
Arenas, like many Lakers fans, had likely been hoping for a bigger splash at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, Redick’s team has improved with the addition of Kennard, especially as the Lakers have struggled as a unit from the perimeter.
After 50 regular-season games, the Lakers are 21st in the NBA for three-point percentage, shooting 34.9% on 33.9 attempts per game. Outside of shooting, Kennard can also provide some tertiary playmaking, which could help unlock defenses when the Lakers are attacking in second or third-side actions.
JJ Redick Excited By Lakers Addition Of Kennard
During his postgame news conference following the Lakers’ 119-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Redick shared his excitement at the addition of Kennard.
“Excited about Luke,” Redick said. “I’ve known him for about 12 years now, and I think he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. I’m going to highly encourage him to shoot more and not turn down shots.”
Redick continued.
“I think one of the underrated parts of his game is his ability to move and create second actions and move the basketball. You’ve seen that now at a number of his stops where you can initiate the offense through an off-ball movement, and he will just make the right play and get the offense going.
Kennard suited up for 46 games with the Atlanta Hawks this season. He averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shooting 49.7% from three-point range on 3.2 attempts per game. Judging by Redick’s comments, Kennard should expect to see his shot volume increase in the coming weeks.
Lakers Could Target Haywood Highsmith
Now that the trade deadline is over, the Lakers will turn their attention to the buyout market.
According to Edwin Garcia of Silver Screen and Roll, Haywood Highsmith would be an ideal pickup.
“After being traded to the Nets last offseason, Highsmith underwent surgery on his knee, suffered a setback and has not played yet this season,” Garcia wrote. “The Nets eventually waived him on Thursday morning. He is reportedly playing 5-on-5 basketball again and is drawing interest from teams. Last season as a member of the Heat, He averaged 6.5 points and shot 38% from 3-point range. It’s rare to get shooting that good via the buyout market, making Highsmith a compelling option…if he’s healthy.”
Rob Pelinka will undoubtedly perform his due diligence on all potential targets. However, on paper, Highsmith would fulfill a lot of the three-and-d needs the Lakers currently have on the roster.