PHOENIX – After shipping out their best two shooters in a trade, the Phoenix Suns sign a sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a two-year deal. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Phoenix will give $13 million across the next two seasons, with the second year being a player option. The contract fits into the taxpayer Mid-Level Exception and provides a massive help for a roster in need of shooting.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After the franchise traded for Miles Bridges by giving up Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, the team needed some 3-point shooting and Kennard fulfills that desire.
Apr 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) moves the ball ahead of Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Suns sign Kennard to two-year deal:
The nine-year pro was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline last season and became a critical piece of the team’s second half of the season. Kennard averaged nine points and 2.6 rebounds on 44.8% shooting from 3 on three attempts per game. In the postseason, he turned up the production with 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds on 47.4% outside shooting.
Kennard’s weaknesses are obvious. He struggles defensively, and the amount of 3s he takes per game is quite concerning for a sharpshooter. Allen and O’Neale combined for 15.6 three-point attempt per game last season, while the 30-year-old hasn’t averaged over six-plus attempts since 2023-2024. Head coach Jordan Ott will want Kennard to be more open letting the ball fly next year.
Phoenix Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia (left) talks with new Suns general manager Brian Gregory during the second quarter between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena on July 9, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
General manager Brian Gregory has been busy this offseason to retool this roster that got swept in the first round. Trading up to draft Koa Peat, trading for Bridges and signing Kennard are all new tools for the team to take the next steps in 2026-2027. Whether Ott and his system can unlock the journeyman in Kennard is a major question.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
