Luke Kennard Makes His Mark in Lakers Debut: Sharp Shooting, Smart Decisions, and a Role Ready to Grow
LOS ANGELES - Luke Kennard doesn’t need a reminder that he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. The numbers speak for themselves. But if there’s been one knock on his game over the years, it’s that he doesn’t let it fly nearly enough.
Now, with a fresh start in Los Angeles and a head coach in JJ Redick who knows a thing or two about the value of a quick trigger, Kennard’s being asked to do just that - shoot more, shoot confidently, and shoot often.
Before suiting up for the Lakers on Saturday night, Kennard had already logged 506 NBA games, hitting an eye-popping 44.2% of his 2,211 career 3-point attempts. That’s not just elite - it’s the best in the league among players with at least 500 games and 100 threes since 2017.
And it’s not close. Doug McDermott (41.5%), Norman Powell (40.2%), Karl-Anthony Towns (40.2%), and Georges Niang (40.1%) are the only others even above 40%.
But here’s the rub: Kennard ranks just 43rd in attempts per game among that same group. He’s only taken 10 or more threes in a game 18 times in his career - and not once this season.
Compare that to Marcus Smart, now his Lakers teammate, who’s launched 10+ threes in a game 42 times despite shooting just 32.4% from deep over his career. You can see why Redick is eager to unleash Kennard’s shooting more consistently.
“I think he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA,” Redick said. “I’m gonna highly encourage him to shoot more, and not turn down shots.”
Kennard arrived in L.A. via a trade with the Hawks, with the Lakers sending Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to Atlanta. It’s Kennard’s fourth team in four seasons, and with free agency looming this summer, he’s no stranger to adjusting on the fly. But he’s also not the kind of player who’s going to force things.
“I like to try to make the right play at all times,” Kennard said. “I feel like I know the game of basketball very well, and I will shoot it.
I will be aggressive. I know that’s what they want me to do.”
And in his Lakers debut - a 105-99 win over the Golden State Warriors - he wasted no time showing that he’s ready to do just that.
His first touch? A catch-and-shoot three right in front of the Warriors’ bench after a scramble play.
No hesitation. Pure form.
Bottom of the net.
“I was definitely hunting a shot, trying to get one up,” Kennard said postgame. “I looked at my first shot, and it was crazy high. But it felt good when it left my hands.”
It wasn’t just the shooting that stood out. Later in the first half, Kennard used his shooting gravity to blow past a closeout from Moses Moody and finish a layup.
The assist? From none other than LeBron James - a fellow Ohio native who couldn’t help but bring up a little high school trivia.
“I haven’t even gotten to the point where I confronted him about breaking my scoring record in Ohio,” James joked. “But he did play for my AAU team, so we’re kind of even.”
Kennard’s ability to space the floor is tailor-made for a Lakers team built around LeBron and Luka Dončić - both of whom draw double teams like magnets.
“Yeah, a lot of open 3s,” Kennard said of his new role. “Obviously, Luka and Bron, they attract so much attention. For me, it’s spacing the floor and making the right plays.”
But Kennard isn’t just a catch-and-shoot guy. That’s a big part of his game, sure, but the Clippers once gave him a four-year, $64 million extension not just because of his jumper, but because of what he can do with the ball in his hands. Redick sees that too - and plans to use it.
“One of the underrated parts of him is his ability to initiate action in the half court,” Redick said. “We call it ‘ear’ - like that little Iverson cut into a drive or side pick-and-roll. He’s a guy who can start your offense, not just finish plays.”
That vision was on display in the fourth quarter. After a Marcus Smart rebound, Kennard sprinted to the corner in front of the Lakers’ bench.
Austin Reaves found him, and the bench rose in anticipation of a three. But instead of pulling the trigger, Kennard spotted Jarred Vanderbilt streaking down the lane and zipped a pass for an easy dunk.
Later, he came off a baseline out-of-bounds screen and found Maxi Kleber, who had slipped into open space, for another assist - one of 29 on the night for the Lakers.
Kennard finished with 10 points, two assists, and knocked down 2 of 4 from deep - right in line with his career efficiency. But more importantly, he looked comfortable.
Confident. Ready to contribute.
The Lakers will need to be mindful of how they use him defensively - the Warriors didn’t test him much, especially while playing zone and without Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler - but that’s a puzzle for another night.
What matters now is that Kennard gave L.A. exactly what they hoped for in his debut: spacing, smart decisions, and a few timely buckets. Gabe Vincent hadn’t posted a game with multiple threes and assists all season. Kennard just did it in his first game in purple and gold.
That’s how you make a first impression.