The Lakers didn’t swing for the fences at the trade deadline, but they may have just added a piece that helps them win on the margins - and in a tight Western Conference race, that can make all the difference.
On Thursday, Los Angeles pulled off a deal to bring in sharpshooter Luke Kennard, sending out guard Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick. It’s not the kind of blockbuster that dominates headlines, but it’s a move that directly addresses a glaring need: shooting.
Let’s be real - the Lakers’ perimeter shooting has been inconsistent at best. They’ve struggled to space the floor effectively, especially when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are operating in the half court.
That’s where Kennard comes in. The 6-foot-5 guard is a career 44.2% shooter from deep, and he’s not just maintaining that reputation this season - he’s elevating it.
Kennard currently leads the entire league in 3-point percentage at 49.7%. That’s not just hot - that’s elite.
He’s not going to fix everything. Kennard won’t help much on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter where the Lakers have had issues containing quick guards and closing out on shooters.
But what he can do is stretch the floor, open up driving lanes, and give this offense a little more breathing room. That’s something the Lakers desperately need, especially when their offensive rhythm stalls.
Bench production has also been a sore spot. Entering Saturday’s matchup with the Warriors, L.A. ranked dead last in the league in bench points per game. Kennard gives them a scoring punch off the pine - someone who can come in, knock down a couple threes, and shift the momentum without needing the ball in his hands for long stretches.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka made it clear why the team made this move now.
“Clearly, right now he's the game's best shooter leading in 3-point percentage,” Pelinka said. “So we just felt like the gravity and space he could create for the group with LeBron or with Luka or Austin, just being a reliable guy that can create space, hit big shots in big games and really help us on a playoff run.”
That kind of spacing can be a game-changer - especially in the postseason, where every possession counts and defenses tighten up. Kennard’s presence alone can force defenders to stay home, which opens up driving lanes for LeBron, Reaves, or even D’Angelo Russell when he’s attacking in pick-and-roll situations.
Pelinka also hinted at some intriguing lineup possibilities, including a small-ball, all-shooting look featuring Kennard and Rui Hachimura alongside the team’s core.
“You can see an all-shooting lineup with Rui and Luke and maybe [our main] three guys if you decide to go small in a playoff series,” he said.
That’s the kind of flexibility that could pay off in the postseason. The Lakers have been at their best in recent years when they’ve been able to toggle between lineups and adapt to matchups. Adding Kennard gives head coach Darvin Ham another tool in the toolbox - a specialist who can swing a quarter, or even a game, with a couple of timely makes from deep.
Now, it’s fair to say some fans were hoping for a bigger splash - maybe a 3-and-D wing, a rim-protecting big, or even something more ambitious. But not every trade deadline move needs to be seismic to be impactful. Sometimes, it’s the subtle additions that end up making the biggest difference when the lights are brightest.
Kennard isn’t a superstar. He’s not going to change the identity of this team overnight. But he’s the kind of player who can tilt the floor in your favor - and in a Western Conference where margins are razor-thin, that’s a bet the Lakers were willing to make.