Lakers Acquire Luke Kennard, Trade Gabe Vincent to Hawks
In a notable trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick in 2032. This move comes as both teams look to enhance their rosters ahead of the February 2026 trade deadline.
Lakers Enhance Roster with Luke Kennard
Luke Kennard, currently averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, joins the Lakers at a critical juncture. The addition of Kennard is aimed at boosting Los Angeles’ 3-point shooting, an area where they have struggled. The Lakers rank 25th in the league for 3-pointers made and attempted, with 582 made from 1,670 attempts.
Kennard’s Shooting Prowess
Kennard has established himself as a reliable sharpshooter. He stands out with a remarkable shooting percentage of 49.7%, making him the top player in the NBA among reserves in terms of 3-point shooting percentage. Over the last five seasons, he has consistently hit over 100 3-pointers each year.
Gabe Vincent’s Departure and Injuries
Gabe Vincent, who previously made a significant impact during his time with the Miami Heat, is heading to Atlanta. Vincent averaged only 4.8 points per game this season while struggling with injuries since joining the Lakers. His shooting accuracy in Los Angeles has been 34.6%.
Hawks’ Strategic Moves
- Atlanta Hawks are creating strategic roster flexibility.
- In addition to acquiring Vincent, they have made multiple trades to bolster their squad, including:
- Acquiring Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
- Bringing in Jock Landale.
- Completing a swap for Duop Reath and adding two picks.
The trade for Vincent also provides the Hawks with an $11 million trade exception, adding to their financial flexibility in the future.
This move reflects the ongoing adjustments within both franchises as they target optimal performance for their respective rosters in the competitive landscape of the NBA.
