As an elite sharpshooter with a sixth sense for taking over in clutch minutes, Luke Kennard was one of the best role players the LA Clippers have had, especially since the start of 2020. Among the rarest players in the world, Kennard’s jumpshot looked like butter no matter the position he launched from or the angle he had with the rim.
Every time head coach Tyronn Lue would use Kennard, it would usually be for the sole purpose of attempting three-pointers because of how strong a green light he had. This is mostly what he excels at, and although most guards need to be able to rebound or pass to enter the NBA, the former Duke Wildcat built a career solely on his prowess beyond the arc.
However, if he brought another ability to the table, such as a tenacious defensive mindset, Kennard would not be continuously be moving from team to team. The Clippers got him from the Pistons in 2020, and since then, he has been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and recently signed with the Atlanta Hawks.
This essentially means that the inevitable will take place, and while the Hawks have every reason to be thrilled about the addition of Kennard, they will likely realize a flaw in his game that the Clippers witnessed during his two-and-a-half-season stint in LA.
Luke Kennard’s all-world three-point shooting has a great impact, but his defensive weaknesses make him hard to play at times
The Atlanta Hawks have had a stellar offseason, and one of their finds was Luke Kennard, who was signed to a one-year, $11 million deal. The value is certainly there, and the Hawks need an additional superb three-point sniper next to Trae Young, so the mutual interest makes sense.
Conversely, Hawks fans should leave room for skepticism, as the LA Clippers were not always able to let Kennard play due to his defensive size. He is not atrocious, yet still below average, and needs help on taller, more capable offensive machines.
Head coach of the Hawks, Quin Snyder, is also at a disadvantage as he cannot utilize the eight-year veteran next to Trae Young. This means their on-court time must be staggered, as opponents would see nothing but green grass with Young and Kennard trying to force a stop.
That said, the Hawks are in for a consequence from their experience with Kennard, given that his offensive production is evened out by a level of perimeter defense that needs improvement.