Kennard reveals how paint touches and ball movement unlock the Lakers' offense.
The Los Angeles Lakers made just one move at the trade deadline on Feb. 5, sending Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
It wasn't a blockbuster by any stretch, but it was a move aimed at addressing a real need for a team that had been struggling from beyond the arc all season long.
Starting the Blender
Since arriving in Los Angeles, Kennard has wasted no time fitting in and finding his role within the offense.
He came to the Lakers shooting a league-best 49.4 percent from three-point range on the season, and through his first nine games with the team, he averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 64.8 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from deep.
His best game in a Lakers uniform came on Saturday night during a 129-101 blowout win over the Golden State Warriors, where he dropped 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and knocked down four of his seven three-point attempts.
After the game, Kennard talked about what he has noticed works best for the team since he got to town.
"Obviously, I've been here for a short amount of time, but when we are a team that gets in the paint and we share the ball, we have multiple passes on a possession, I feel like we're a different team," Kennard said.
"We get a lot of great looks, and we can put up a lot of points. Obviously, we need the ball to be in (Doncic's, Reaves' and James') hands to make plays for us, and that's how it's got to be. But for us guys coming off the bench, we need to be ready to play the right way, get the ball moving and just play with some pace."
More Than Just a Shooter
Head coach JJ Redick has been vocal about how much Kennard brings to the table, and it goes beyond just his shot.
Redick called Kennard a "blender starter" for the offense, someone who can create a closeout and then make the right read from there.
Kennard's gravity as one of the best shooters in the league forces defenders to stay attached to him, which opens up driving lanes for Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Redick also praised Kennard's unselfishness, saying he has a "we score" mentality, where he hunts for the best shot on the floor rather than forcing his own looks.
Kennard has even taken pride in being a good screener, something that often goes unnoticed but helps generate open shots for his teammates.
The Bigger Picture
The Lakers sit at 36-24 on the season and are sixth in the Western Conference as they push toward the playoffs.
The ball movement has been a big part of their success when they are clicking, and Kennard has helped push that even further since joining the bench unit.
LeBron James has spoken highly of what Kennard brings, noting his ability to get into the paint and make plays beyond just spotting up in the corner.
For Kennard, it all comes down to playing the right way and trusting the system.
He has bought into his role quickly, and the Lakers' coaching staff and star players have all built confidence in him since his arrival.
If he keeps shooting the ball the way he has all season and continues to create for others, Kennard could end up being one of the more under-the-radar deadline pickups that makes a real difference come playoff time.