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BREAKING: Suns Steal Key Sharpshooter Away From Rival Lakers With $13,000,000 Contract
The Los Angeles Lakers wanted to bring back unrestricted free agent Luke Kennard after the sharpshooter guard impressed during his stay in Los Angeles. Acquired before the February trade deadline in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, Kennard provided much-needed shooting to space the floor for the Lakers’ superstars.
After Kennard played well in the postseason, the Lakers knew that keeping Kennard wouldn’t be easy. Now, hours into free agency, LA’s fear came true.
Suns Sign Luke Kennard to $13 Million Deal
Kennard played 32 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per contest while shooting 44.8% from deep to help make life a little easier for Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. For the season, he led the NBA in 3-point efficiency with 47.8%.
Kennard is extremely valuable in the modern NBA, so it didn’t take long for another team to swoop in and steal Kennard away from the Lakers. What makes this loss even worse for Los Angeles is that the sharpshooter decided to join the Lakers’ Western Conference rival, the Phoenix Suns.
On Tuesday, ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news about the nine-year guard.
“Free agent sharpshooter Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, with a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.
Kennard helped his stock during the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 3-pointers while shooting 47.4% from the 3-point range. Across the Lakers’ first two wins of the series, Kennard totaled 50 points on 72.7% shooting from deep. With Dončić missing the entire postseason and with Reaves sidelined for several games as well, Kennard took on an increased role in the starting lineup and delivered, helping LA defeat Houston in six games.
While the shooting was as good as advertised, Kennard also proved that he was a reliable playmaker. He helped ease the burden on James and Marcus Smart in setting up the offense.
In the next round against the Thunder, Kennard continued his impressive play. Despite Oklahoma City’s elite defense, he still averaged 10.0 points on 58.3% shooting, including a sizzling-hot 57.1% clip from behind the arc.
The Suns were linked to Kennard even before the start of free agency, so this isn’t a huge surprise. Still, it’s a significant loss for the Lakers, who also learned on Tuesday that LeBron James won’t be returning next season.
MORE:NBA Rumors: Lakers, 76ers, Pacers, Blazers Emerge As Free-Agency Suitors for 14.1-PPG Veteran Wing
Kennard will provide a boost to the Suns’ offense after the team traded Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday in the Miles Bridges deal.
With Jalen Green and Devin Booker penciled in as starters, Kennard joins a talented backcourt and provides some much-needed shooting for a team that’s trying to build on last year’s 45 wins.
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