Luke Kennard Is Making a Big Impact... Can He Be a Difference Maker in the Postseason?

When the Lakers acquired Luke Kennard at the trade deadline, most fans understood the team was getting one of the best shooters in the league, not just this year but throughout his career. 

The good news for the team is Kennard's skill set is much more diverse than just shooting. He's been extremely effective from two point range, at the rim, and as a secondary playmaker and even a solid rebounder for his position. 

It's also clear that JJ Redick highly values what Kennard does to raise the floor of the offense as both a floor spacer and a playmaker. 

The flip side comes on defense, where Kennard is willing but deficient. He adds to a list of players that teams eagerly switch hunt Lakers in search of vulnerabilities, whether because they're smaller/slower (ex. Kennard, Austin Reaves) or a player like Luka Donćić where not only can he be beat off the dribble, but also where it's to their advantage to make him run around and try to press through screens. 

So can he raise the team's floor in the playoffs, or will Kennard become a 180-degree version of Jarred Vanderbilt, played off the floor because of his D? 

And what does Kennard's performance mean for next year, when the Lakers will look to construct a roster that fits around Luka? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

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