Lakers’ Acquisition of Luke Kennard Praised by Rob Pelinka

Rob Pelinka, who serves as the president of basketball operations and general manager for the Lakers, expressed significant enthusiasm about the team’s recent signing of Luke Kennard.

“I believe he’s the best shooter in the game right now,” Pelinka shared with reporters before Kennard’s first game with the Lakers against the Warriors. “When you have the chance to add the best shooter available by the deadline, that’s something you can’t pass up. So we made it happen.”

This excitement around Kennard makes sense. Looking at the numbers, he was shooting an impressive 49.7 percent at that point in the season, making him the league leader as of Saturday.

While Kennard’s outside shooting hadn’t quite hit the mark for much of the season, he stood at 34.9 percent from three-point range, which ranked him 21st in the league. Still, he’s expected to address the team’s needs in that area.

“We believe he can create space and open up opportunities alongside LeBron (James), Luka (Doncic), and Austin (Reaves). He’s dependable, can take critical shots during key games, and should be a major asset in the playoffs,” Pelinka added.

“Our goal has been to have the three of Austin, Luka, and LeBron play together more often, but so far, that’s been limited,” he noted. Pelinka expressed anticipation for the possibilities that could arise when those three are on the court, believing that adding Kennard will enhance their options across various lineups. An all-shooting lineup featuring Kennard and Louie (Hachimura) could be particularly effective, especially if they opt for smaller lineups during playoff series.

Meanwhile, the Lakers kept their options open in the offseason by trading Gabe Vincent along with a 2032 second-round pick for Kennard ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

The team holds the rights to trade three first-round draft picks (2026, 2031, and 2033) and has five players—James, Hachimura, Kennard, Maxi Kleber, and Jackson Hayes—set to become unrestricted free agents once their contracts end this summer.

Additionally, three players, including Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart, have player options for the 2026-27 season, giving the Lakers some flexibility with their salary cap moving forward.

Pelinka emphasized the team’s commitment to a strategic approach as the trade deadline approached, noting, “Being aggressive isn’t just about making all the trades; it can also mean passing on moves that might not align with our long-term goals.” He continued, “While bringing in a strong player might provide a short-term solution, it could have lasting consequences if it doesn’t fit our overall vision.”

He remarked on the hard work the team has put in, stating, “We were really active in our discussions. We’ve tried to cover all bases.” Pelinka reaffirmed his belief in the current roster’s potential to contend for an NBA title, as the Lakers headed into Saturday’s matchup with a 31-19 record, despite limited appearances by Doncic, James, and Reaves together this season.

“We have faith in this group,” Pelinka said. “We’re eager to see how they perform for the rest of the season. The chemistry and determination of this team are powerful, especially in the playoffs. We feel good about our roster and are focused on getting healthy for a strong finish. This will also give us clarity for our decisions beyond this season.”