The Phoenix Suns have a talented core of Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr., Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Johnson. The team has plenty of moves to make before it can call itself a playoff squad again, but the good news is that Phoenix has the foundational pieces to build around.
You can never have enough shooting and young talent in the NBA. With that being said, Suns general manager James Jones should try and acquire the sharpshooter he tried to get at the 2020 trade deadline: Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard.
In 28 games for the Pistons in 2019-20, Kennard averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 39.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 89.3 percent from the free-throw line. The lefty dealt with tendinitis in both of his knees and didn't play in a game following Dec. 21.
Kennard is one of the best young scorers, shooters, and playmakers in the league. He fits with what the Suns are trying to build, so Jones and Co. should make another attempt to acquire the former Duke star. His shooting prowess would only make things easier for Booker and Ayton, two explosive scorers.
Booker was averaging 26.1 points per game before the season was suspended. His running mate, Oubre Jr., was putting up 18.7 points before undergoing knee surgery. For his part, Ayton registered averages of 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in 30 games after he was suspended 25 contests for PED use.
It’s not a flashy trade by any means, but trading for Kennard would be a good start to solidifying the Suns' shooting woes. For what it's worth, the Suns made 727 triples in 2019-20, which ranked 20th in the NBA
Kennard would instantly make the Suns deadlier on offense, especially from beyond the arc where he's a career 40.2 percent shooter.
Booker and Ayton command double teams when they have the ball in the paint. Kennard is the ideal sniper for the Suns to roam around the arc and get free through back screens while Booker and Ayton are drawing all the attention.
Luke Kennard is set to make $5.3 million next season. The Pistons will likely want a first-round pick in return for the man they “Cool Hand Luke.”
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