NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
In need of three-point shooting, the Lakers lost the league’s best sharpshooter on the first day of free agency.
Guard Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13-million deal with the Phoenix Suns, The Times confirmed Tuesday.
Advertisement
Kennard was an unrestricted free agent after he was traded to the Lakers last February from the Atlanta Hawks. His arrival coincided with a dramatic offensive uptick for the Lakers, who went from 34.9% shooting from three in games before Kennard and 37.7% in games after. Kennard was on a one-year, $11-million contract last season, his ninth year in the NBA.
Read more: Plaschke: LeBron James got out before Lakers could throw him out
The former Duke star averaged nine points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Lakers while shooting 44.8% from three-point range. He showed his influence beyond just shooting when he took on more ballhandling duties late in the season to fill in during injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In a starting role during the last six games of the regular season, Kennard averaged 6.4 assists.
The Lakers already lost LeBron James on the first day of free agency after the 22-time All-Star informed the team he intended to sign somewhere else for his NBA-record 24th season. Kennard could have provided a critical floor-spacing piece around Doncic, who thrives when surrounded by lob-catching centers, athletic wings and knockdown shooters.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/luke-kennard-leaves-lakers-two-025428892.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-07-01 02:54:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
