The Los Angeles Lakers got their first look at new addition Luke Kennard on Saturday night, and the early returns were exactly what they were hoping for. The veteran sharpshooter made his team debut off the bench, logging 26 minutes and putting up 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. It was a classic Kennard performance-quietly effective, smart, and seamless within the flow of the offense.
Playing alongside LeBron James and a still-recovering Austin Reaves, Kennard wasted no time showing how his skill set can elevate this Lakers roster. He did what he’s known for-spaced the floor, moved without the ball, and knocked down open looks.
But it wasn’t just the shooting that stood out. Kennard’s decision-making and ability to read the defense added another layer to the Lakers’ second unit.
LeBron, who’s always thrived when surrounded by shooters, looked right at home sharing the floor with Kennard. Their chemistry might still be in its infancy, but the potential is obvious.
And there’s a deeper connection here too-both Ohio natives, with Kennard hailing from Middletown and LeBron from Akron. The bond goes back further than just geography; Kennard once played for LeBron’s AAU team, and the two have crossed paths in more ways than one.
LeBron couldn’t help but joke about their shared roots and a bit of friendly history between them.
“First of all, I haven’t even gotten to the point where I even confronted him about breaking my scoring record in Ohio, when he passed me,” James said with a smile. “But he did play for my AAU team, so we kinda even.”
Beneath the humor, though, was real praise. LeBron’s respect for high-IQ, versatile teammates is well documented, and he didn’t hold back when talking about what Kennard brings to the table.
“He’s a really good basketball player,” James said. “A lot of people kind of harp on his shooting obviously ’cause he shoots the ball so elite.
But his playmaking ability as well. Him being able to crack the defense when they run him off the line.”
LeBron pointed to a particular sequence that stood out-Kennard hit a three in front of the Lakers’ bench, then on the next trip down, passed up another open look to find Jarred Vanderbilt under the rim for a dunk. That play forced a Warriors timeout and showed exactly why Kennard is more than just a shooter.
“He made some great spread-out passes today,” LeBron added. “Just a really good basketball player [that] we happen to have.”
That kind of unselfish, heads-up play is exactly what the Lakers need as they try to navigate a season where continuity has been hard to come by. Between injuries and lineup changes, the trio of LeBron, Reaves, and Luka Doncic has yet to spend meaningful time on the floor together. But adding another combo guard like Kennard gives head coach Darvin Ham more flexibility-and more importantly, another reliable option who can keep the offense humming.
Kennard’s track record speaks for itself. He’s statistically the most accurate three-point shooter in the league, and if he continues to shoot around 50% from deep, defenses are going to have to account for him every possession. That kind of gravity opens up the floor for LeBron, Reaves, and the rest of the Lakers' playmakers.
And while many fans may not know it, Kennard actually broke LeBron’s high school scoring record in Ohio. Back in his days at Franklin High School near Dayton, Kennard was one of the top prospects in the country before heading to Duke. That scoring prowess hasn’t gone anywhere-it’s just evolved into a more complete offensive package.
For the Lakers, Kennard’s debut was more than just a solid stat line-it was a glimpse into how he can fit into a team still searching for consistency. Smart, efficient, and unbothered by the spotlight, he’s the kind of piece that can quietly make a big difference down the stretch.