LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers are adding sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard via trade from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick, according to multiple reports Thursday morning.
It looked as though the Lakers and General Manager Rob Pelinka might be staying pat until this first move hours before the trade deadline, adding a nine-year seasoned veteran who will bring a much-needed catch-and-shoot skill set to Los Angeles, more importantly, alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
The 29-year-old Kennard spent three seasons with the Grizzlies before joining the Hawks this offseason on a one-year, $11 million deal.
In 46 games this season off the bench in Atlanta, playing 20.5 minutes a game, the Ohio native has averaged 7.9 points a game, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
More importantly, Kennard is shooting a career-high 49.7% from 3-point range this season, which ranks the best in the NBA among players who attempt at least three 3-pointers a game.
Kennard has hit 74 3s this season, which puts him second on the team behind Dončić, who leads the Lakers with 149 triples.
The addition of Kennard brings help to a department that the Lakers have struggled with all season and that's being a consistent threat from 3. The Lakers rank 23rd (12) in the NBA in 3-pointers per game and 22nd in 3-point percentage (34.9%).
The Athletic was first to report the news of Vincent being traded for Kennard, while ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the full terms of the exchange.