Nba Trade Rumors: Luke Kennard Finds Takers in the Trade Pool

The Phoenix Suns have reportedly approached Detroit Pistons for their guard Luke Kennard. As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Kennard could be traded for Jevon Carter, Elie Okobo and a first-round pick. This has been done by the Suns to shore up its backcourt rotation.

 The Trade Rumors

According to Wojnarowski, the teams have gained traction in the trade talks. However, no agreement is in place and the sides are expected to talk again Tuesday. Also worth noting is that the Suns’ vice president of basketball operations is Jeff Bower. He was the GM of the Pistons from 2014-18 and was in place when the Pistons selected Kennard.

According to the Detroit Free Press’ Vince Ellis and Marlowe Alter, Kennard’s name was also tied to trade discussions with the New York Knicks as well.

In the piece, Wojnarowski writes that Phoenix sees him as a high-minute six man who can complement the Suns’ other young players with his ball handling and perimeter scoring. Detroit might actually see the same thing in Kennard, and want to gamble on the potential that the first-round pick they’d get in return could net a starter level player.

Luke Kennard: NBA Run

Pistons landed Kennard with the No. 12 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Kennard is averaging career highs in points (15.8), rebounds (3.5) and assists (4.1) but has not played since Dec. 21 due to bilateral knee tendinitis. Despite the injury, he has made 73 3-pointers and is on a good pace to break his career-high of 106 made 3-pointers last season.

Detroit’s willingness to part with a young asset like the 23-year-old Kennard is surprising, and would be the clearest sign yet the franchise has an eye toward a longer-term rebuild and is trying to amass assets.

Kennard’s consistency from downtown, and improved playmaking ability would make him an ideal fit for Phoenix.