Lakers fans had cautiously welcomed Luke Kennard after his arrival via trade, expecting him to showcase his renowned three-point shooting skills. However, the team is discovering what the Detroit Pistons already recognized: the guard tends to hesitate when it comes to taking shots.
In Kennard’s first game with the Lakers, he scored 10 points, hitting 2-of-4 from behind the arc in a six-point victory over the Warriors. Initially, this performance raised hopes for what he could bring in terms of outside shooting. Yet, after a disappointing outing in a narrow 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic, where he finished with only nine points in 15 minutes—his fewest since the trade—fans are reassessing their expectations. Notably, Kennard did not attempt a single three-pointer during that game and has not taken more than three shots from beyond the arc in any game since joining the Lakers.
Despite shooting an impressive 43.8% from three-point range, Kennard averages a scant 2.3 attempts per game. In total, he holds a 49.1% shooting percentage from long distance this season, ranking him among the league’s best, albeit underlined by his lack of attempts.
After the trade, Kennard expressed his intention to be more assertive, stating that he understands the game well and aims to take more shots—words that have yet to translate into action on the court. The most prolific season of his career in terms of three-point attempts came during his final year in Detroit, where he averaged 6.5 attempts over 28 games. In two other seasons, he managed to average over six attempts per game.
The underlying message is clear: Kennard must increase his shooting volume—significantly. His time with the Pistons was marked by fans urging him to be more aggressive, and now Lakers supporters seem to be echoing those sentiments. While Kennard is indeed more than just a shooter, his strength lies in that very aspect of his game. He may be overly concentrated on making the right basketball plays rather than simply looking for his shot.
With former sharpshooter JJ Redick likely to remind him of the importance of taking those open looks, there’s hope that Kennard can adapt and contribute more effectively moving forward. With the right adjustments, Kennard has the potential to become a valuable asset to the Lakers as they aim to strengthen their lineup for a playoff push.