Idea: Luke Kennard

[Celtics2021]

The Clippers just acquired Norman Powell and Robert Covington, but they are still reportedly looking for a point guard.  Meanwhile, Luke Kennard is probably going to lose some time to the new acquisitions.

Clippers get:
Josh Richardson
Dennis Schroder

Celtics get:
Luke Kennard

This gives the Clippers a "playmaking PG", which they supposedly want.  Meanwhile, Richardson is a two-way wing who might be a better fit with Powell going forward than Kennard would be, and is under contract next year for when Kawhi and George return.  For the Celtics, they get the sniper they need to knock down the volume of open looks that Brown and Tatum can create.  The deal saves a little money for the C's this year, and a little for the Clippers next year, so it's a relative wash financially.  The Clippers have an open roster spot, so there's no friction with the 2-for-1 players.

[liam]

The Clippers just acquired Norman Powell and Robert Covington, but they are still reportedly looking for a point guard.  Meanwhile, Luke Kennard is probably going to lose some time to the new acquisitions.

Clippers get:
Josh Richardson
Dennis Schroder

Celtics get:
Luke Kennard

This gives the Clippers a "playmaking PG", which they supposedly want.  Meanwhile, Richardson is a two-way wing who might be a better fit with Powell going forward than Kennard would be, and is under contract next year for when Kawhi and George return.  For the Celtics, they get the sniper they need to knock down the volume of open looks that Brown and Tatum can create.  The deal saves a little money for the C's this year, and a little for the Clippers next year, so it's a relative wash financially.  The Clippers have an open roster spot, so there's no friction with the 2-for-1 players.

Are we better with Kennard over J Rich?

[Goldstar88]

That trade makes the C’s worse.

[RJ87]

Theoretically, you could do this deal with Richardson.

It would be two separate trades. We could absorb Kennard into the Fournier TPE and draft compensation. Then, they can absorb Dennis into the Rondo TPE for a 2nd round pick a few years down.

I don't think it'll happen though. Management wants to cut salary.

[Celtics2021]

Theoretically, you could do this deal with Richardson.

It would be two separate trades. We could absorb Kennard into the Fournier TPE and draft compensation. Then, they can absorb Dennis into the Rondo TPE for a 2nd round pick a few years down.

I don't think it'll happen though. Management wants to cut salary.

This brings the C’s below the tax.  Unless you meant doing the deal without Richardson.

[Vermont Green]

Yeah, I didn't want to be the first with a negative reaction but what I see is trading two useful players for one player that is not as useful as either, while losing future flexibility due to a longer contract.

I get the attraction to Kennard's 3pt shooting percentage but this does not seem like a good trade at all.  If the point is to save money this year (the trade would save us about $4M) there would seem to be better ways to get under the tax line.

[RJ87]

Theoretically, you could do this deal with Richardson.

It would be two separate trades. We could absorb Kennard into the Fournier TPE and draft compensation. Then, they can absorb Dennis into the Rondo TPE for a 2nd round pick a few years down.

I don't think it'll happen though. Management wants to cut salary.

This brings the C’s below the tax.  Unless you meant doing the deal without Richardson.

I meant doing the deal without Richardson.

[Celtics2021]

Yeah, I didn't want to be the first with a negative reaction but what I see is trading two useful players for one player that is not as useful as either, while losing future flexibility due to a longer contract.

I get the attraction to Kennard's 3pt shooting percentage but this does not seem like a good trade at all.  If the point is to save money this year (the trade would save us about $4M) there would seem to be better ways to get under the tax line.

Fair enough.  I think Kennard is enough of a shooting upgrade to make it worth it long term.  His track record of shooting is far better than Richardson, and he shoots it a lot more when he’s out there’s. Getting a volume shooter from distance is probably the biggest need the team has, depending on your view of Smart’s PG skills.

The salary savings was a side benefit.

Mostly I’m just comparing Richardson and Kennard, because it seems like Schröder is getting dumped for a 2nd regardless.  As far as the team is concerned going forward, Schröder shouldn’t factor into the calculus.

[Surferdad]

Leave Luke and J-Rich out of the trade, Clips add a pick, then I'm good.   

[Celtics2021]

I admit I’m a little surprised at how myeh people are about a player who’s shot 42% from 3 for his career and 43% this year on a good number of attempts, who’s 25 and on a pretty reasonable contract. Is it concerns about defense?  The Clippers defensive rating improves by 4 points when he’s on the court compared to when he’s off.  He might not be responsible for the improvement, but he’s probably not a liability.

And look at this shot chart.  Hits from everywhere.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/luke-kennard-shot-chart-2022-season

[RJ87]

I admit I’m a little surprised at how myeh people are about a player who’s shot 42% from 3 for his career and 43% this year on a good number of attempts, who’s 25 and on a pretty reasonable contract. Is it concerns about defense?  The Clippers defensive rating improves by 4 points when he’s on the court compared to when he’s off.  He might not be responsible for the improvement, but he’s probably not a liability.

And look at this shot chart.  Hits from everywhere.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/luke-kennard-shot-chart-2022-season

I like Luke. But, I would want him if we're also keeping Richardson.

Josh has become our most consistent bench player and seems to be a good fit in the locker room. We should be trying to add players more like him, not get rid of him.