How Luke Kennard improves the LA Clippers
For a front office seeking a fresh start in the 2020/21 season, Luke Kennard could emerge as a key contributor in the Lue era.
Kennard will assume a more compressed role in Southern California, where his ability to be a productive offensive piece from the bench will determine his success on a retooled Clippers roster.
The Ohio native leaves the Midwest posting a career-best 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 28 games for an underperforming 2019/20 Pistons squad. Kennard’s offensive efficiency from all three scoring levels fused with a clinical three-point stroke (39.9 percent) promises to offer spacing for quality scoring opportunities for All-NBA talents Leonard and Paul George in a deserted painted area.
While the 24-year-old may loom as Shamet’s direct replacement, a potential Lou Williams trade will more than likely amplify Kennard’s responsibility for Lue, who will need to reshuffle the 21.8 shots attempted by Williams and Shamet last term.
A larger role for Kennard may further materialize in a reserve ball-handling capacity.
Kennard was reportedly running the point guard duties at the Pistons’ September mini-camp, where Coach Dwane Casey was looking to his 6’5” guard to direct his side’s offense in the forthcoming season. While Detroit supporters never were able to witness ‘Point Kennard’, the 2017 lottery pick’s ball-handling may serve as a crucial asset on the West Coast, where point guard minutes behind Patrick Beverley remain largely unknown.
Asked Kennard on picking up where he left off in December, playing more with ball in his hands: "Coach told me I'd run point, put the ball in my hands a lot, let you go with. That's what we've done. I've brought the ball up the court a lot." Basically, he's played a lot of point.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) September 24, 2020
Availability, however, remains Kennard’s largest question mark heading into the 2020/21 season. Kennard made his last NBA outing on December 21st, struggling with left and right patellar tendinitis throughout the 2019/20 campaign. While his knees are fully recovered, only time will determine Kennard’s lasting value in Los Angeles.