Luke Kennard trade rumors reportedly hold no merit

After being taken with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, fans waited patiently for the lightbulb to turn on for Luke Kennard.

After producing meager results in his first three seasons with Detroit, as well as his first year with the LA Clippers during the 2020-21 season, it appeared as though Kennard figured it out this past year. The smooth lefty stroke that made teams salivate over him as a draft prospect was on full display as he led the entire association in 3-point percentage at 44.9%.

Still, regardless of his dazzling shooting, trade speculation has swirled.

Although several outlets have proclaimed that LA was openly shopping him before the start of the 2022 NBA Draft, those rumors proved to be just hearsay. On the night in question, LA remained pact, using their 43rd overall pick to enlist the help of newly drafted rookie, Moussa Diabate.

While things have quieted since then, Lawrence Frank, LA’s President of Basketball Operations, has recently stood out in front of those erroneous rumors to discredit them.

Luke Kennard was terrific last season and appears to be a part of their core moving forward

As the NBA offseason rages on, LA Clippers personnel are anxious for the new league year to kick off. Following a 42-win season and perpetual changes in the starting lineup due to injuries, Kennard was the one constant that LA could rely upon. In addition to his knockdown shooting, Kennard protruded from LA’s lineup as an overall scorer, averaging 11.9 points a night.

If Frank’s words ring true, head coach Ty Lue could have a bevy of shooters at his beck and call all season long. While Kawhi Leonard and Paul George figure to slide back into their star and leading roles next season after being hit with the injury bug, Kennard, along with Robert Covington and Norman Powell, could lead a particularly dangerous bench unit that finished second in the league in points per game last season.