The Lakers just acquired one of the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooters in Luke Kennard—and head coach JJ Redick is already pushing him to abandon caution, shoot more, and become the floor-spacing weapon L.A. desperately needs.
Why Kennard’s shooting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about style
Luke Kennard didn’t set foot in Los Angeles until Friday, but by the time the Lakers hosted the Warriors on Saturday night, he was already at the center of the team’s biggest tactical shift. A 44.2% career 3-point shooter—second only to Steve Kerr among qualified players in NBA history—Kennard isn’t just another marksman. He’s a rare breed: a shooter flooded with opportunities but constantly under fire for not seizing enough of them.
Among the 68 NBA players who have shot at least 38% from deep, took at least two 3s per game, and played in at least 30 games this season, Kennard’s 3.2 attempts per game rank 54th. That hesitation costs every team that drafted or traded for him: the Detroit Pistons, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and now the Lakers. Nine seasons, three teams, and one lingering critique: Kennard is too protective of his numbers.
Enter JJ Redick—his former Duke teammate now calling signals from the Lakers’ sideline. “Excited about Luke,” Redick said. “I’ve known him for about 12 years now and 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.”
The Lakers’ fatal flaw—and why Kennard could fix it immediately
The Lakers’ roster ویژگی: a lack of true shooters. Last season’s squad ranked 24th in 3-point attempts and 27th in 3-point percentage. Lebron James and Anthony Davis are generational scorers, but they work best with elite floor spacers—an asset that has been absent for years. That changed when the Lakers sent Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick to Memphis for Kennard, a shooter whose gravity and off-ball IQ could possibly unlock the Lakers’ biggest lineup combinations.
Where Kennard thrives—off-ball movement
Redick highlighted Kennard’s ability to initiate the offense through off-ball movement—a trait that has been missing in Los Angeles. “One of the underrated parts of his game is his ability to move and create second actions and move the basketball,” Redick said. “And 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 sort of get the offense going. He’ll be a corner threat, an off-ball threat, and we’re excited to have him.”
A locker room familiar with Kennard’s game
Kennard won’t need a lengthy intro. He’s already shared the court with two Lakers—Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia—in Memphis. Smart called him “one of the better shooters in this league” and “a player who comes to work every day.”
Austin Reaves added: “Obviously, as everybody knows, he’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. If he has any time and space, playing against him, if you gave him time and space, you considered it a bucket. Just being able to space the floor, a guy that knows how to play basketball, stands for the right things. It’ll be fun. Can’t wait to get to work with him.”
The trade’s underrated ripple: Gabe Vincent’s exit
While Kennard’s arrival is worthy of celebration, the trade cost the Lakers Gabe Vincent—a fan favorite and defensive stalwart. Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the loss: “His teammates loved him,” Redick said. “His coaches loved him. From a professionalism standpoint, just embodied everything that is good about this game. And I do think the way he finished last season and the way he started preseason, we all felt like that he was going to really have a breakout year for us here. Unfortunately just had a bunch of injuries.”
But Redick also made it clear: “He’s a good player and an even better person. I’ve told Gabe this many times, we’re all grateful that we got to work with him and be around him. We’re very appreciative of him.”
Kennard 2026: A timeline
- June 2025 – Drafted in 2017 by the Detroit Pistons, Kennard flourished as a prolific scorer off the bench, earning a four-year, $64 million contract.
- 2024 – Traded twice in two years: first in January 2024 to Memphis, then on February 7, 2026, to the Lakers.
- 7 February 2026 – Linked up with Duke teammate and Lakers coach JJ Redick, receiving an immediate green light on shooting.
- 2026-27 – The Lakers’ quest for a championship return—and Kennard is the target of their spacing revolution.
What’s next for Kennard and the Lakers?
As Kennard remerges under Redick’s leadership, expect a surge in 3-point attempts. The Lakers are banking on his presence to open driving lanes for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while also creating second-side opportunities for Austin Reaves and R sports scienceui Hachimura. The first test came Saturday night against the Warriors, but the true litmus test will arrive in the playoffs where every shot counts and spacing defines destinies.
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