Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talks about Luke Kennard trade
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers' trade for guard Luke Kennard on Thursday may not be a true needle-moving acquisition. But it should be one that helps them on the margins, especially given their multiple deficiencies.
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Kennard, a 6-foot-5 guard, likely won't do a thing to help them improve their porous perimeter defense. But he's a career 44.2% 3-point shooter and is currently leading the NBA with a 49.7% accuracy from that distance, and the Lakers definitely need more 3-point snipers. He also has the ability to help them improve their bench scoring a bit — they came into Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors last in bench points per game.
Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka talked about the opportunity he had to acquire Kennard right before the deadline for guard Gabe Vincent and a future second-round draft pick.
"Clearly, right now he's the game's best shooter leading in 3-point percentage. So we just felt like the gravity and space he could create for the group with LeBron [James] or with Luka [Doncic] or Austin [Reaves], just being a reliable guy that can create space, hit big shots in big games and really help us on a playoff run.
"When you get to add the best shooter in the game to your group at the deadline, it's a great opportunity. So, we seized it."
Pelinka also teased one type of lineup that could include Kennard.
"You can see an all-shooting lineup with Rui [Hachimura] and Luke and maybe [our main] three guys if you decide to go small in a playoff series."
Lakers fans are likely disappointed that Pelinka didn't pull off a trade for a 3-and-D wing, an upgrade at the center position or Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. But trades for role players such as Kennard end up compounding into big results over time.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talks about Luke Kennard trade