Former Pistons lottery pick, NBA leader in three-pointers, traded to Lakers -

Former Detroit Pistons forward Luke Kennard is keeping a career-best shooting season in motion for the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade reported Friday.

Thursday's NBA trade deadline will see teams like the Atlanta Hawks move some expiring contracts to playoff-bound teams like the Lakers.

Kennard is the right bill for Atlanta one agreed, $11 million Gabe.

The former Pistons 12th overall pick in 2017 is entering his first season without a start, but he's still impressive in 40 games off the bench.

Kennard has been a reliable three-point weapon since entering the league, but he's now doing so at the highest level of his career.

Although he only averages eight points in about 20 minutes per game, Kennard leads the NBA in three-point percentage at 49.7%, and is currently hitting his best at 49.4% from 2022 to 2023. He ranks second all-time in career three-point percentage, behind only Steve Kerr.

If he finishes with the league lead, he will lead the NBA in scoring percentage for the third time in his career.

None of those standout seasons came from beyond the arc in his three seasons with the Pistons.Kennard began to develop his game over the first two seasons and finally broke through in 2019-19, averaging 15.8 points and 4.1 assists.

However, the season was cut short due to COVID-19, and Kennard was reportedly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in November 2020. Kennard played 164 games for the Pistons, averaging 9.8 points and 2.2 assists per game on 40.2% three-point shooting.

Stints with the Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, initially as a bench player, before joining the Hawks in the offseason.

Kennard heads to Los Angeles on a team that will face the 30-19 Lakers led by Luka Doncic.He looks to be an immediate addition to the rotation for a three-point shooting team ranked 22nd in the NBA.

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