Phoenix Suns Sign Luke Kennard to Multi-Year Contract

The Phoenix Suns have found their Grayson Allen replacement. 

GM Brian Gregory, governor Mat Ishbia, and other representation closed a deal to sign former Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard to a two-year, $13 million contract on Tuesday night – just hours after the free agency negotiation period opened.

From ESPN's Shams Charania:

"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."

The pursuit of Kennard became a sure thing when Phoenix agreed in principle to trade away Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale in a deal that will bring Miles Bridges to the Valley. The loss of two of the best deep-range shooters on the team necessitated a bounce-back move to compliment - the Suns found it here. 

Kennard, 30, is set to enter his 10th season with Phoenix after splitting time between the Atlanta Hawks and Lakers in 2025-26 - shooting 47.8% from three-point range in the process, while also shining during the latter's playoff run.

The Suns roster will once again be set at 15 once Kennard signs the contract and the Bridges trade clears the league office, but there's also a possibility that the Suns aren't quite done here. There has been a brewing belief that Phoenix will move on from either Jamaree Bouyea or Haywood Highsmith before the upcoming season commences, although there's absolutely nothing in stone yet. 

Kennard currently slots in as the backup two-guard at the moment, projecting to come off of the bench alongside Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Rasheer Fleming, Oso Ighodaro, and others. The Duke alum will be relied on to serve as an off-ball sniper, provide connective passing on the perimeter, and to play into Phoenix's team-defense-centred apparatus. 

Perhaps the most fascinating wrinkle in Kennard's deal is the player option that is built into the second season of the deal. Kennard will be owed $6.1 million for the 2026-27 season, as well as a slight bump in salary for year two - he will have the option to take advantage of betting on himself in year one to land an even more lucrative contract next summer. 

The Suns roster is taking shape very quickly into free agency, but the work is never truly done - expect more maneuvers to be on the table in the weeks ahead. 

In the meantime, Kennard is the newest member of the Suns and will likely be met with a warm welcome.

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Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X @khicks_21.