Luke Kennard has had limited playing time alongside Luka Doncic during the 2025-26 NBA season, but the moments they have shared on the court have shown potential. The Los Angeles Lakers’ new shooter is already providing Doncic with much-needed spacing and offensive options.
“It definitely opens stuff for me, a lot,”
Doncic said about the impact of playing alongside Kennard.
“… We obviously have to work on that chemistry, but I feel like I have a lot of space when he’s on the court.”
?Luka Doncic, Lakers superstar
The Importance of Surrounding Doncic with Effective Shooters
Adding Kennard highlights what the Lakers have known: Doncic thrives when surrounded by shooters who can stretch the defense. With capable perimeter scorers, Doncic gains more room to operate and can leverage his scoring ability more effectively. This is crucial considering Doncic leads the league in scoring, averaging 32.8 points per game even without ideal floor spacing.
The Lakers’ current performance beyond the arc is below average, shooting 35.2 percent and ranking 18th in the league, while taking only 33.3 three-point attempts per game—25th in the NBA. This inefficiency in shooting volume and accuracy hampers the offense’s potential to maximize Doncic’s talents.
Lessons from the Mavericks’ Playoff Run: Spacing and Defense
Doncic demonstrated in the 2024 NBA Playoffs how an effective supporting cast with shooting, defense, and athleticism could drive success. The Dallas Mavericks reached the NBA Finals with that balanced formula, but the Lakers have yet to replicate it. Early glimpses of Doncic playing with Kennard and Rui Hachimura show much-improved offensive spacing that threatens opposing defenses from multiple angles.
However, the Lakers must do more than add offensive shooters; athleticism and defensive capabilities are equally vital. Relying on players who contribute on only one side of the court leaves the team vulnerable, a weakness evident in their current defensive struggles. Effective two-way players will be necessary to make progress both this season and beyond.
What the Future Holds for the Lakers with Kennard
While the remainder of the 2025-26 season remains uncertain for the Lakers, one thing is clear: enhancing the roster around Luka Doncic with shooters like Luke Kennard and versatile defenders could dramatically improve the team’s outlook in 2026-27. Better spacing on offense paired with stronger defense offers a path to reclaiming competitiveness in the Western Conference. How the Lakers manage this roster construction will be crucial for their success in the near future.
Luka says that even though him and Kennard need to work on chemistry he notices that Luke opens a lot of things for him 👀
“I feel like I have a lot of space when he's on the court.”
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) February 21, 2026
