Player Preview: Luke Kennard needs to let it fly in Phoenix

Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.

Shooting Guard, 6’4″, 190 lbs., 30 years old, 9 years of experience

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Luke Kennard signed with Phoenix this summer and brings one immediate specialty: elite shooting. Phoenix lost two of its best (and most reliable) shooters in Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in the Miles Bridges trade. So, adding a sniper from deep like Kennard had to be a priority for this front office.

The smooth-shooting lefty brings a quick release and high basketball IQ to the mix. Phoenix could desperately need his floor spacing, with some of the concerns about who will reliably spread the floor in their projected starting lineup.

Kennard figures to slot into the second unit alongside Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin as a dynamic three-man group that all bring different attributes to the table.

Last Season

Kennard appeared in 78 games for the Lakers last season. He led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at an eye-popping 47.8%.

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The Duke product played his role to a T. He doesn’t force it if it’s not there – he is wired to make the correct basketball play over anything. Which sometimes can frustrate you if he’s on your team, because sometimes you WANT him to force it.

He is one of the best movement shooters over the past half-decade and counting. (the strikethrough text was intentional)

Lakers fans will always remember Kennard for his Game 1 performance against the Rockets when he put up 27 points on 5-for-5 shooting from three and 9-13 overall from the field.

He has ice in his veins, as some might recall this clutch game-winner he hit against the Magic in March to keep the Lakers’ win streak going at the time. He joins Jalen Green in the club of knocking down game-winning threes against Orlando… how about that?

Contract and Roster Context

Kennard is set to potentially spend two seasons in the Valley after inking a two-year, $13 million deal with Phoenix in late June.

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Full details: 2-year, $12,431,200 contract, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $6,215,600.

In 2026-27, Kennard will earn a base salary of $6,064,000, while carrying a cap hit of $6,064,000 and a dead cap value of $6,064,000, per Spotrac.

He does carry a player option after this season, so he can hit the open market if he desires.

What He Brings

Let’s get this out of the way now. Luke Kennard is more than just a shooter.

His ability to make quick reads, cut, relocate, handle the ball, and move without it are some of his most underrated qualities. He is a high-IQ, plug-and-play guard who knows his role and doesn’t often play outside of it.

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He doesn’t have the same downhill attack and athleticism as Grasyon Allen, for example, but he will shed some of the misconceptions about his game just as Grasyon did during his time here, to a lesser extent. He is great at attacking closeouts and can slice and dice in the midrange or drop in a little floater. Defenses respect his range and close out hard on him, and he has those counters mastered by now.

A Luke Kennard three (47.8%) was more accurate than an Oso Ighodaro free-throw (45.7%) last season. I repeat. A Luke Kennard three had a higher chance of going in than Oso shooting from the charity stripe. That statistic blew my mind a little.

Phoenix needs Luke Kennard to bring the same elite shooting he has brought everywhere he’s gone. He can shoot with the best of them; we all know that. He led the NBA in 3PT% a season ago at an astounding 47.8% clip.

What Needs to Improve

Phoenix will likely ask him not to be as shy as he has been in other stops on his per-game attempts from deep. He has only attempted more than 6 threes per game.

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Last season, he only attempted 3.1 threes per game. I get it being in his DNA to not force it, but he needs to let it fly far more often this season in Phoenix. I am hoping he can double that and get back to the per-game numbers he had in Memphis.

And of course, we move on to the primary concern for Kennard, his defense. He is not someone they signed to defend, but it would be remiss not to mention that he can often be the “pigeon” in others’ game plan of who to single out and attack. As long as he competes and makes the right defensive rotations (team defense + help), then he should be passable enough, which is all you can ask for.

Prediction

I expect Kennard to play a similar role to what he did for the Lakers a season ago, and what he’s done for most of his career. He figures to slot in for about 18-22 minutes per night and provide quality minutes and give opponents fits alongside Collin Gillespie in the backcourt. Kennard will have the occasional flamethrower game that carries you to a win.

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There will be some matchups he may not be a perfect fit for in Ott’s rotation, but more often than not, he will be a reliable rotation piece, and you know exactly what you’re going to get from him.

He will also get run with the starting unit or at least some sort of combination of bench and starters for floor spacing purposes.

Stat Prediction: 77 Games, 9.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 52/44/89 shooting

Final Word

A successful season for Luke Kennard is a continuation of doing what he’s done throughout his career. If he provides another elite shooting season and ticks up the volume a bit, then we’re talking.

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I look forward to watching the lefty quick release. Kennard will be needed this season with the lack of shooting in the starting five. Give him the green light, Jordan Ott.