Luke Kennard Discussion

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by KareemtheGreat33, Feb 5, 2026.

  1. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    both can be true: gabe is better when he's got the ball more, but he's still not good.

    upload_2026-2-8_12-3-52.png

    he was a solid defender his second two years (right before we signed him), but he's basically never been a good offensive player. that last row is this year, and he was just unplayable here.

    if we ever really got miami gabe, it would have been an ok mle signing. but we never did, so it was terrible.

    here's kennard:

    upload_2026-2-8_12-5-20.png

    i think we're banking on his offense to look better playing off our absolutely elite playmakers (atlanta had none of this this year with young being out for a lot of it). if he can keep his defense at just "meh" (which is where it's been so far this year, he becomes a plus-player pretty quickly.

    more importantly, he doesn't need the ball on offense in order to play his best game.
     
  2. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    I mentioned this last night, but it jumped out he processes much quicker than who he replaced. One of the quicker reaction speeds on the roster.
     
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  3. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    He must see the floor a lot easier than midget Gabe too being like 3" taller. Even Bronny looked taller and bigger than him.
     
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  4. Cookie

    Cookie The Dame of Doom Staff Member

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    Fitbit’s don’t have eyes.
     
  5. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    Well he's a perfect fit on offense. Teams are not going to leave him on the corners and he's a nice passer if he's closed out. Isn't afraid to take it the basket vs a guy like Gabe

    Not really sure why he doesn't seem to have worked on his upper body strength. On defense he gets pushed around on drives - if he was stronger it would help his D a lot.

    It's a marginal move but may have a bigger impact then most people expected as the lakers have been missing these roleplayer who can win you a game (see the NY game where I though the Lakers outplayed New York for huge chunks of the game but freaking Landry Shamet went off)
     
  6. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    A+ for replacing Gabe with Luke (as usual no one saw coming) and additionally adding more potential scoring and equal or better (size) defense than Gabe to the bench with Kobe Bufkin.
     
  7. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    :rofl:
    Most of Fitbit's features are kind of useless if you're not connected to the app on your phone, so that part makes sense.
     
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  8. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    i think 52 years did?

    and to be fair, if you told me in august our deadline move would be gabe for kennard, i would have been pretty upset, lol.
     
  9. OX1947

    OX1947 - Lakers MVP -

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    Good. Good. More of this LT. More on this. Just leave out the Bronny James stuff out. Other than that, perfect progression. Keep it up.
     
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  10. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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  11. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    Gotta keep LT grounded or he’ll be expecting every acquisition to be a home run
     
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  12. VladeD714

    VladeD714 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Didn't realize Kennard is only 29. Feels like he's been in the league forever; some thoughts from DB from LG. Had to post again because I posted in wrong thread.

     
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  13. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    Another good thing is that Kennard is an excellent secondary playmaker and he knows how to make the right pass. He should thrive here.
     
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  14. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    Yes, I agree. First game with the Lakers and he knows his spots, the plays, and where to create an opening for wide open players.

    I think being on the Clippers helped him develop that because he played alongside better talent and adjusted to them.

    The defense is the only issue but in reality, he wouldn't be available to the Lakers for practically free if he was good at defense so it's not fair to pin that on him.
     
  15. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Another good game, continues to show just how bad Gabe was for us

     
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  16. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    Nothingness is better than Gabe so I would have been happy even without Luke Kennard in return
     
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  17. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    well, to be fair, we misused him for so long it will take a few weeks or months for him to even get his rhythm back.

    He's like a white dude trying to dance right now. It's just awkward and feels unnatural. But once he finds his rhythm, watch out league!!!

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  18. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    Why are you posting your moves here?
     
  19. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    i vastly undersold this trade in my mind. early returns are excellent.
     
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  20. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    Just me and my Dad. He really had the moves.
     

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