Los Angeles Lakers Officially Lose 9-Year NBA Player To Rival Team

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: A detailed view of a Los Angeles Lakers logo on the court before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers officially lost a key player from last season in free agency.

The Phoenix Suns have announced their signing of Luke Kennard.

He finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest while shooting 53.3% from the field and 47.8% from three-point range in 78 games for the Lakers (and Hawks).

Suns.com wrote: “The Phoenix Suns announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Luke Kennard to a multi-year contract.”

Looking At Kennard

GettyLuke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Kennard was the 12th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

He has also spent time with the Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies over nine total seasons in the NBA.

In 2020 (with the Pistons), Kennard averaged a career-high 15.8 points per contest while shooting 39.9% from three-point range in 28 games.

GettyLuke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates after making a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kennard will likely be a nice addition to a team that has Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges.

He is a valuable role player (and among the best shooters in the NBA).

GettyLuke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rocketsat Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

His career averages are 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and 44.2% from three-point range in 538 games (127 starts).

The 30-year-old has also appeared in 38 NBA playoff games (seven starts).

Looking At The Suns

GettyDevin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after being defeated by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Suns are coming off a year where they were the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 45-37 record.

They reached the 2026 NBA playoffs after beating Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.

That said, the Suns got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

The franchise has been unable to return to the Western Conference finals since reaching the 2021 NBA Finals.

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Los Angeles Lakers Officially Lose 9-Year NBA Player To Rival Team

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