Luke Kennard’s Evolving Role with the Lakers

Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledges the preconceived ideas surrounding Luke Kennard. It’s not merely about Kennard’s nine years in the NBA; it seems to encompass his entire basketball journey, starting from his childhood.

“People often see him just as a shooter, given that he’s a white guy known for his shooting skills,” Redick mentioned after the Lakers secured a victory against the Warriors. “Every time he participated in an AAU tournament back in eighth grade, you’d hear everyone shouting, ‘Shooter, shooter, shooter.’ That’s just how it is.”

However, Kennard has recently demonstrated that he can offer more than just 3-point shooting when the Lakers really need it.

With Luka Doncic dealing with a left hamstring strain and Austin Reaves nursing a left oblique strain right after the regular season, the Lakers found themselves in need of a new ball handler.

This situation prompted conversations between Redick and Kennard in Dallas, particularly after the loss to the Thunder on April 2 and leading up to the defeat against the Mavericks on April 5, when both Doncic and Reaves were sidelined. The focus shifted to how Kennard could assume a different role on the team.

“He approached me right away, saying, ‘You’re going to have the ball a lot, and we want you to take charge,'” Kennard recalled. “His confidence in giving me that responsibility really boosted my own confidence.”

The trust they’ve built is paying off.

Over the past three games, Kennard has averaged 9.3 assists, including matching a career-high with 11 assists in the game against the Mavericks. This showcases a level of playmaking ability that was less evident when the Lakers were in better health.

Initially, in his first 27 games with the Lakers following his trade, Kennard averaged 29.3 touches per game (16.9 in the frontcourt), held the ball for about 1.2 minutes, and had an average of 2.44 seconds per touch.

In the last week, his usage increased significantly.

Taking on the role of the team’s fill-in point guard, Kennard has managed 71 touches (36 in the frontcourt), holding the ball for an impressive 4.2 minutes and averaging 3.52 seconds per touch over the last three games.

As the main ball handler against the Mavericks, the Lakers have now integrated more plays to transition Kennard from off-ball to on-ball, making things a bit smoother.

“I’ve known for quite some time that there’s a lot more to his game; he’s a multifaceted player, especially as a playmaker,” Redick expressed. “He effectively uses his shooting as a threat and is adept at playing with speed and changing tempos while consistently making the right plays.”

Redick also sees steadiness in Kennard, both as a player and as a person.

This stability has helped Kennard embrace a pivotal role.

“I played a lot of point guard in high school,” Kennard mentioned. “So it might differ slightly from what I did back then. Throughout my NBA career, I’ve encountered various situations. I’ve taken on plenty of responsibilities, and every time an opportunity arises, I’m just trying to adapt and find my place. It’s a role I feel comfortable and confident in, and right now, I’m just working to find a rhythm.”