Editor’s note: this is the first piece from new staff writer Chase Pittman. Please give him a warm welcome as we’re excited for him to join our team at Peachtree Hoops.
One of the best sharpshooters in the NBA, Luke Kennard could provide exactly the offensive production the Hawks are looking for off the bench in 2025–2026. Following an eventful offseason that brought in Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and first-round pick Asa Newell the Hawks added another key piece in elite shooter Luke Kennard.
Kennard shot 43.3% from three this past season while operating alongside Ja Morant in Memphis. That pairing helped provide the Grizzlies with the spacing they needed to rank inside the top 10 in assist percentage (56.9%). Pairing that type of shooting with one of the most skilled playmakers in the league in Trae Young should allow for an even more efficient offense when Kennard gets into Atlanta. Luke Kennard was asked about playing with Trae at media day and how it compares to running with Ja and had this to say about Young, saying, “for me, you know, playing with Trae and the way he can pass the ball, really control the offense. I know he’s going to find me in different situations. I know he’s going to want me to shoot the ball every time I can.”
Trae Young has consistently been a player who elevates those around him, and it will be no different with Kennard. Pairing an All-Star point guard known for his remarkable passing ability with a shooter who currently holds the third-highest career three-point percentage in NBA history (43.9%) is truly a match made in heaven.
The 6’5″ guard should give Hawks fans flashes of Atlanta legend Kyle Korver (who you can read more about here). That feeling of adrenaline we all got when Korver had an open look should be felt once again when Kennard gets those opportunities. When this nine-year veteran gets the ball in his hand, expect his shot to go in, and he will be getting the ball.
It’s clear the 29-year-old former Duke standout will be asked to do a lot as a sharpshooter, but what may not be as clear is his need to handle the ball. Averaging 2.3 assists per game in his career, Kennard will almost certainly eclipse that number this season. It is clear he came to the Hawks for a reason and attributes a lot of that decision with the style of offense Quin Synder runs. If he can quickly adapt to Synder’s system, the combination of his skill set, and the team’s thin depth at the point guard position could lead to a role that involves a lot more than just spot-up shooting.
Kennard isn’t just going to provide the Hawks with shooting and playmaking throughout the regular season; one of his biggest contributions will come in the form of playoff experience. He has made 28 appearances in the playoffs with three different teams and currently holds the seventh-highest three-point percentage in NBA Playoffs history. Being a threat from beyond the arc just means more when basketball is being played in April (and hopefully June).
I expect Luke Kennard to be an important contributor off the bench for the Hawks this season and to exceed his per-game averages of 8.9 points and 3.3 assists from last year. As a fan of this team, you should always be excited when a sharpshooter gets paired with one of the best passers in the history of the sport. The anticipation of exactly how Kennard will contribute has me counting down the seconds to the first tip.