New Lakers Rumors Reveal Stance on Luke Kennard Contract Talks Ahead of 2026 NBA Free Agency

Some might have seen Luke Kennard as a short-term rental for the Los Angeles Lakers when they acquired him via trade from the Atlanta Hawks in February, but that reportedly may no longer be the case.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Thursday "it is increasingly anticipated leaguewide that the Lakers will want to retain the recently acquired Luke Kennard after his strong first-round series against Houston. … More and more, though, I'm hearing rival team strategists project Kennard to be part of the Lakers' future plans."

Fischer granted that could be a "tricky variable" for Los Angeles since it will "obviously want to re-sign Austin Reaves even before factoring in the mystery of how LeBron James' looming free agency plays out."

Kennard is playing on an $11 million expiring contract but could ask for more this offseason.

After all, he led the NBA in three-point percentage at 47.8 this season and has established a role for himself as an important ball-handler with Luka Dončić sidelined. In fact, he was essentially the team's second option behind James in the opening games of its first-round series against the Houston Rockets.

Rockets-Lakers Highlights

01:26

With Dončić and Reaves out, Kennard poured in 27 points in the Game 1 win and followed that up with 23 points in the Game 2 win. He made all five of his three-pointers in the first victory and was 3-of-6 in the second one.

That type of performance on the playoff stage is only going to drive up his asking price in free agency, although he hasn't been the same in the last three contests. 

Kennard shot a combined 1-of-11 from deep in Games 3-5 and scored a mere one point in the Game 5 loss on Wednesday. While Reaves returned for Game 5 and took over more of the scoring role, the Lakers are still going to need more from Kennard if they are going to advance.

Los Angeles still has a 3-2 lead over Houston, so the Duke product will have more opportunities to prove he is more of the player he showed at the start of the series than the last couple of games.

If he does, he could cash in during free agency with the Lakers or another team.