Luke Kennard joined the Los Angeles Lakers after a deadline-day trade that sent Gabe Vincent to the Atlanta Hawks, marking a notable move for the Lakers as they acquired the NBA’s leader in three-point shooting percentage. Despite the significance of this acquisition, Gilbert Arenas, a retired three-time NBA All-Star, initially expressed disappointment about the trade but later reversed his stance and offered a public apology.
Known for his candid assessments, Arenas had been critical of the Lakers’ moves as he desired the team’s success. When the trade for Kennard was announced, Arenas was expecting a more high-profile addition and felt the Lakers missed an opportunity for a bigger deal. However, after further consideration, Arenas acknowledged Kennard’s importance as a player and admitted judgment too soon, recognizing that the Lakers now have a stronger lineup with Kennard on board.
I’m sorry, Luke Kennard is an All-Star compared to what we had before. Like, I’m sorry, I’m just going to be honest with you. Like, I was thinking we were about to get some real stuff. So my mind was here. I was here with it, filet right here, wagyu, they brought me some free range chicken, I wasn’t in chicken, so I threw it out. Now I’m hungry, the chicken good, the chicken real good.
Gilbert Arenas, Retired NBA Player
Luke Kennard’s Impact on Lakers’ Play Style
Luke Kennard continues to excel as the NBA’s top three-point shooter this season, connecting on 49.4% of his attempts beyond the arc. Since joining the Lakers, Kennard has played in three games, averaging 10.3 points while maintaining a 44.4% three-point shooting rate with his new team. His presence creates valuable space on the court, which is especially crucial for facilitators like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, who benefit from having a reliable perimeter shooter to open up scoring options.
Though the Lakers have recently dropped two games, those losses largely stem from the absence of essential players such as LeBron James and Dončić. With those stars active alongside Kennard, the Lakers’ offense can become more dynamic, potentially improving their chances of winning future matchups by utilizing Kennard’s shooting ability to stretch defenses.
The Significance of Kennard’s Role Moving Forward
Adding Luke Kennard to the roster represents a strategic attempt by the Los Angeles Lakers to strengthen their perimeter shooting and overall offensive versatility. Given the high value placed on three-point accuracy in modern NBA play, Kennard’s skill set offers improved spacing and scoring balance for the team’s core stars. Gilbert Arenas’ eventual acceptance and apology highlight the growing recognition of Kennard’s impact.
As the season progresses, the Lakers’ ability to integrate Kennard’s shooting threat alongside their key playmakers will likely dictate their success in upcoming contests. The trade also underscores the Lakers’ willingness to make calculated moves at the deadline, aiming to enhance their competitiveness with an eye on playoff contention.
Gilbert Arenas apologized to Luke Kennard for saying he didn’t want him on the Lakers
“I’ll take Luke Kennard. I’m sorry, Luke Kennard is an All-Star compared to what we had before. Like I’m sorry, I’m just going to be honest with you. Like I was thinking we was about to get… pic.twitter.com/qXiD2lxLaf
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 11, 2026
Gilbert Arenas apologized to Luke Kennard for saying he didn’t want him on the Lakers
“I’ll take Luke Kennard. I’m sorry, Luke Kennard is an All-Star compared to what we had before. Like I’m sorry, I’m just going to be honest with you. Like I was thinking we was about to get… pic.twitter.com/qXiD2lxLaf
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 11, 2026
