The Phoenix Suns have added one of the league’s most accurate long-range shooters, agreeing to a two-year, $13 million contract with free-agent guard Luke Kennard, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal reportedly includes a player option for the second season and was finalized on July 1, 2026.
Kennard, 30, reached the open market after a strong finish to the 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Acquired at the trade deadline, he stepped into a larger role during the playoffs when injuries sidelined Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In 10 postseason appearances, five of them starts, he produced 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while converting 47.4 percent of his three-point attempts on 3.8 tries a night.
During the regular season, the former Duke standout split time between the Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks, appearing in 78 games with six starts. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and his 47.8 percent accuracy from beyond the arc led the NBA, albeit on a modest 3.1 attempts per contest.
After Los Angeles was eliminated from the postseason, Kennard spoke highly of his brief tenure with the franchise, calling the opportunity to play alongside “some of the greats of the game” a privilege and emphasizing his desire to chase a championship as he entered free agency.
The move to Phoenix gives the Suns another perimeter threat as the organization looks to bolster its offense for the 2026-27 season.
Source: LakersNation.com
