With the Detroit Pistons making a change at coach this offseason, bringing in Dwane Casey, everyone is going to have to learn a new system. The summer league was the perfect time for Luke Kennard to get some extra practices and games in, and get a jump start on the transition.
That idea has been cut short with Kennard suffering a knee strain, and James Edwards of The Athletic, reporting he will be out for the Summer League.
#Pistons’ Luke Kennard suffered a knee strain during yesterday’s practice and will no longer participate in Summer League play.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) July 3, 2018
To replace him the Pistons have added Oakland University standout Max Hooper to the Summer League roster.
UPDATE: The #Pistons have added guard Max Hooper to its summer league roster.
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 3, 2018
The injury for Kennard is very minor, but it still has to be disappointing to miss out on a chance to make a good impression on the new coach. Kennard has worked hard this offseason with the ball in his hands, and there is a chance he could play point guard this season.
“I think it could possibly happen,” Kennard said via NBA.com. “I’m comfortable with it. That’s one of the main things I’ve worked on this off-season and through our first practice here. I had the ball in my hands, coming off of screens and attacking the basket and making plays. If they feel like that’s the right thing, I’m all for it and I’ll be ready for it.”
Luke Kennard has also heard from coach Casey that he needs to continue to shoot the ball and shoot it well if he wants his minutes to increase this year.
“Three-point shooting is a big, big thing,” Kennard said. “He wants me to continue to work on my shot and just be a knock-down shooter. The way we’re going to space the floor, we’re going to have a lot of open shots.
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