Lakers Secure Top Shooter in Initial Trade Deadline Deal
The Los Angeles Lakers have secured a prominent shooter in a recent trade, marking their first significant move ahead of the trade deadline. They traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick in 2032 to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luke Kennard. This deal aims to strengthen their perimeter shooting, addressing a crucial weakness for the team.
Lakers Acquire Top Shooter in Trade
Luke Kennard joins the Lakers as a seasoned nine-year veteran and former standout from Duke University. Throughout the current season, he has appeared in 46 games, averaging 7.9 points and 2.2 rebounds off the bench. His most impressive stat this year is a career-high shooting percentage of 49.7% from three-point range, with an average of 3.2 attempts per game.
Addressing Perimeter Shooting Concerns
The Lakers have faced challenges with perimeter shooting, despite having sharpshooters like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. Their shooting percentages are as follows:
- Austin Reaves: 36%
- Luka Doncic: 34.8%
- LeBron James: 32.2%
Unfortunately, the team’s supporting cast has not matched these performance levels. With Kennard’s arrival, the Lakers hope to enhance their bench scoring, particularly given that their second unit ranks poorly in offense and three-point shooting.
Potential Limitations of Kennard
While Kennard is a valuable asset for shooting, he has his limitations. His defensive capabilities and rebounding skills are not as strong, indicating that the Lakers may need to pursue additional moves. The front office is likely considering further trades or buyout market options to enhance their overall team performance.
In the trade, Gabe Vincent will move to the Hawks, where he will benefit from a fresh start. Signed to a three-year, $33 million contract in the summer of 2023, Vincent had struggled in Los Angeles, averaging only 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 112 games. The Hawks will absorb his contract as part of a trade exception associated with Bogdan Bogdanovic.
This trade is an important step for the Lakers as they look to strengthen their roster and improve their chances in the ongoing season.
