Less than a week after celebrating his 29th birthday, Duke basketball alumnus and veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard has made a pivotal decision for his NBA journey. The crafty lefty has signed a new deal with the Atlanta Hawks, marking the next chapter in what will now become his ninth season in the league. For a player once known as the quiet assassin in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Kennard’s move brings both excitement and intrigue to an evolving Hawks roster looking to retool and reload in the ever-competitive Eastern Conference.
As the 2025–26 NBA season looms, the union between Kennard and Atlanta feels like more than just a roster move—it feels like a strategic fit. For a franchise aiming to create the space and shooting necessary to elevate its young stars, Kennard offers an elite skillset that’s always in demand: spacing the floor, maintaining offensive efficiency, and being a threat from virtually anywhere beyond the arc.
Let’s unpack the significance of the move—for Kennard, for Atlanta, and for Duke basketball faithful watching their former Blue Devil find renewed opportunity in a city not too far from Durham.
The Journey So Far: Kennard’s Road from Durham to Atlanta
Luke Kennard first rose to national prominence as a smooth-scoring guard out of Franklin, Ohio. But it was at Duke University where his game matured under Mike Krzyzewski’s tutelage. In just two seasons with the Blue Devils (2015–17), Kennard evolved from a promising freshman to a polished sophomore who averaged 19.5 points per game and led Duke to an ACC Championship.
The Detroit Pistons selected him 12th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, drawn to his high basketball IQ and deadly perimeter game. Kennard spent three years in Detroit, quietly honing his craft in a rebuilding system before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where his sharpshooting took center stage.
From 2020 to 2023, Kennard became a dependable sixth man for the Clippers, delivering clutch three-pointers and moments of microwave scoring brilliance. A subsequent stint with the Memphis Grizzlies showcased his floor-spacing value, especially during injury-riddled stretches where he helped stabilize the offense.
Across his eight NBA seasons, Kennard has compiled career averages of 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. But his three-point shooting is where he’s made a living—posting a career mark of 43.6%, including an NBA-leading 49.4% from deep during the 2022–23 season.
Now, as he joins the Atlanta Hawks, Kennard is no longer a role player waiting for his breakout. He’s a seasoned veteran with a clear identity—a perimeter sniper with poise, playoff experience, and a reputation for being one of the league’s most reliable floor spacers.
What Luke Kennard Brings to Atlanta
Atlanta’s acquisition of Kennard speaks volumes about the franchise’s vision for its future offensive scheme.
Under new head coach Charles Lee—a first-time NBA head coach but long-time assistant under Mike Budenholzer and Joe Mazzulla—the Hawks are expected to lean into a modern, motion-heavy offense with an emphasis on ball movement and perimeter efficiency. Kennard fits like a glove.
Here’s what Kennard brings to Atlanta’s rotation:
- Elite Three-Point Shooting: Kennard instantly becomes one of the top shooters on the Hawks’ roster, giving guards like Trae Young and Dejounte Murray the spacing they need to penetrate and create.
- Off-Ball Movement: One of Kennard’s underrated skills is his ability to move without the ball. He’ll run off screens, relocate with purpose, and force defenses to stay attached to him at all times.
- Veteran Leadership: At 29 years old, Kennard has seen the highs and lows of an NBA season. He provides a calming presence in the locker room and can be a mentor to younger shooters like AJ Griffin or rookie additions.
- Clutch Situational Play: Whether it’s late in the shot clock or down the stretch of a tight game, Kennard has the nerves and skillset to knock down timely shots and make smart decisions.
In short, Kennard’s presence doesn’t just bolster Atlanta’s bench—it gives them flexibility to deploy smaller, shooting-heavy lineups and even gives Coach Lee the freedom to stagger starters with elite spacing units.
Filling a Need: Hawks’ Roster Before Kennard’s Arrival
The 2024–25 Hawks ended the season in the Eastern Conference play-in picture but struggled to find rhythm offensively due to a lack of reliable outside shooting. While Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanović were capable creators, Atlanta ranked just 17th in three-point percentage—a troubling stat in a league where spacing is king.
With the departure of key veteran shooters and the emergence of younger, slash-first wings, Atlanta entered the offseason with a clear goal: surround their dynamic backcourt with shooters.
Kennard solves that issue in immediate fashion. His ability to camp in the corners or flare out in transition gives Atlanta a weapon they simply didn’t possess consistently last season. He also reduces the overreliance on Bogdanović as the lone true marksman in the second unit.
Contract Details and Cap Considerations
While the exact terms of Kennard’s deal with the Hawks haven’t been officially disclosed at the time of writing, sources close to the situation report that it is a two-year agreement valued in the $20–24 million range. The contract includes a player option for the second year, giving Kennard flexibility if the fit isn’t perfect or if the market shifts next summer.
From a financial perspective, the Hawks managed this signing with strategic foresight. They utilized part of their mid-level exception and managed to keep their core intact while addressing a glaring need.
The deal also signals a potential retool rather than a full-blown rebuild—something that should please Hawks fans still invested in seeing Trae Young stay in Atlanta long-term.
Duke Brotherhood and the ATL Pipeline
Kennard’s move to Atlanta also rekindles his connection to Duke basketball’s strong NBA presence. While he won’t be joining fellow Blue Devils on the Hawks roster (at least not yet), his presence brings credibility and a sense of Duke’s “NBA Brotherhood” culture to a younger team.
In fact, Duke fans may see Atlanta as a new hub for former Blue Devils. AJ Griffin—who played for Duke in 2021–22—already has two years under his belt with the Hawks and could learn plenty from Kennard’s off-ball movement and shooting discipline.
There’s even been speculation that Atlanta could become a destination for more Duke products in the future, especially as Coach Lee builds a more cerebral, spacing-oriented offense.
What Kennard Says About the Move
In a brief video message posted to social media on Monday, Kennard addressed Hawks fans for the first time:
“Atlanta—I’m hyped. I’m ready to get to work. I’ve always respected the way this team plays and competes, and now I get to be a part of that. Let’s do something special. Let’s fly.”
Kennard also thanked the Memphis Grizzlies organization for “helping him grow as a pro and embrace leadership in a new way,” especially during the injury-marred 2023–24 campaign that tested his resilience.
His demeanor? Calm. Focused. Hungry. Much like the smooth jumper he’s become known for.
Projecting Kennard’s Role and Stats for 2025–26
Assuming full health and a 70+ game season, Kennard could carve out 24–28 minutes per game off the bench or even start in certain small-ball configurations.
Here’s a realistic projection for his 2025–26 stats:
- PPG: 10.8
- 3P%: 44.3%
- Minutes: 26.2
- FT%: 91.5%
- APG: 2.4
- RPG: 2.0
These numbers might not leap off the screen, but the efficiency behind them could be game-changing. Atlanta doesn’t need Kennard to score 20 a night—they need him to bend defenses by simply existing on the floor. That’s what elite shooters do, and Kennard does it as well as anyone in the NBA today.
Final Thoughts: A Perfect Fit at the Right Time
Luke Kennard’s decision to sign with the Atlanta Hawks is more than a birthday celebration extension—it’s a calculated move at the perfect point in his career. He’s mature, self-aware, and now joins a team that desperately needs what he does best.
For the Hawks, it’s a low-risk, high-reward signing that could pay major dividends if Kennard stays healthy and hits shots at his usual clip. For Kennard, it’s a chance to redefine his impact in the NBA landscape—no longer just a role player, but a difference-maker for a team trying to climb back into the Eastern Conference elite.
For Duke fans? It’s another reason to tune in this season. Luke Kennard is back in the spotlight, this time under the bright lights of Atlanta—and he’s ready to let it fly.
