Lakers & Hawks Exchange Shooters – Who Got The Better Deal?

Luke Kennard (Image: NBA)

The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks exchanged shooters just hours before the trade deadline.

The Lakers got Luke Kennard while the Hawks got Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick.

Kennard was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 12 pick in the 2017 NBA draft. In 2019-20, he averaged nearly 16 points per game. He led the league in 3-point shooting in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He is currently leading the league in 3-point shooting with a 50 percent 3-point percentage.

Vincent went undrafted in the 2018 draft. The Miami Heat signed him a season later, and he played nine games. He became a consistent part of their rotation in 2021-22. Vincent was a major part of the Heat’s 2023 Finals run. He scored 20 or more points against the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks twice, the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets. Vincent signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lakers that offseason. Injuries have prevented Vincent from having the same impact.

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The Lakers save a negligible amount of money with this trade. Both players will be free agents at season’s end. The Lakers get a clear upgrade while the Hawks get a future asset in the second-round pick.

The Lakers will benefit greatly from Kennard’s shooting. They look to compete for a championship in what may be LeBron James’ last season with the Lakers, or maybe even in the league. James has not currently committed to anything after this season.

Meanwhile, the Hawks will fully commit to their rebuild. Trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards already solidified their intent to rebuild. 2026 All-Star Jalen Johnson will be their leader going forward. The Hawks also own the New Orleans Pelicans pick, which is currently projected to be the No. 2 pick in the draft.