Lakers reportedly in danger of losing $11M sniper in free agency if playoff breakout continues

The Los Angeles Lakers are an entertaining team to watch when fully healthy. Their key trade deadline acquisition of Luke Kennard has paid major dividends, as he and Luka Dončić had been lighting it up together.

“During the last six games, the pair have played 88 minutes together. During that time, Doncic and Kennard have posted an offensive rating of 125.7 on the court. That is the fourth most of any duo who have shared the hardwood for at least 50 minutes. What is doubly notable about that is the three two-man combinations above them too. Each of those features one of either Doncic or Kennard. Between Luka and Luke, there has to be some sort of nickname in there for this new dynamic duo in Los Angeles. If they keeping performing like they have thus far, it will be owed to them,” Lake Show Life’s Syvatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.

The Lakers have been highly impressed with Kennard during his time in Los Angeles and are interested in extending his stay.

“The Los Angeles Lakers have strong interest in re-signing Luke Kennard this offseason, sources told Lakers Daily,” Lakers Daily’s Ashish Mathur wrote.

Kennard exploded in Game 1 against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, and his performance may have complicated the Lakers’ ability to retain him.

“But if Kennard keeps playing like he did in Game 1 (27 points, 5-5 from 3-point) the question won't just be whether the Lakers want him back, it will be whether they can get him back. When he's aggressive from the 3-point line and creating for teammates (which he's better at than Lakers fans expected), he's the version of Kennard who was a top-five finisher for Sixth Man of the Year back in 2022,” Lake Show Life’s Quinn Everts wrote.

There is no doubt Kennard has established himself as one of the league’s premier shooters. However, if he continues his postseason surge, his price tag—and league-wide interest—will only increase.

Kennard is currently on an $11 million contract, which was initially viewed as the range for his next deal. That perception has changed after his playoff breakout, creating concern for the Lakers’ chances of retaining him.

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