With the New Orleans Pelicans missing the postseason for the second consecutive season, fans now get to sit back and watch the playoffs stress-free. For some, this will be a welcome break after having to watch their favorite team struggle for most of the 82-game season. 

If you stayed up to watch both of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first two round 1 games against the Houston Rockets, then you’ve seen just how incredible Luke Kennard has been.

Through the Lakers’ first two playoff games, the former Duke sniper is averaging 25 points per game while shooting 65.4 percent from the field and 72.7 percent from three. On top of that, with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out of the lineup, he’s stepped up on the rebounding and playmaking front, posting 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. LA originally acquired Kennard at this year’s trade deadline as part of a deal with the Atlanta Hawks centered around Gabe Vincent. Kennard is on a one-year deal and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, which is where the Pelicans can come in.

The biggest flaw with the New Orleans roster these past two seasons has been a lack of floor spacing, and signing him this offseason would boost that.

Joe Dumars needs to get Kennard to New Orleans by any means necessary

On paper, this is a very talented group with the likes of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, and fun young talent. However, the major construction flaw with this roster is that it really lacks the three-point volume and efficiency needed to compete. There were countless games this past season that the Pelicans battled in and were close to winning, but fell short because they were dominated in the three-point margin.

Over the course of his career, both collegiately and professionally, Kennard has been known as a prolific sniper. Kennard ranks second all-time in three-point percentage behind Steve Kerr, shooting 44.2 percent from deep for his career.

Everywhere Kennard goes, he instantly brings a massive boost to the team’s spacing. For most of the year, outside of Luka and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers lacked true perimeter threats. Considering the Pelicans ranked in the bottom seven in attempts, makes, and overall three-point percentage this past season, adding Kennard shouldn’t be an option—it should be a priority.

Given how he’s performed since arriving in LA, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is likely to prioritize bringing Kennard back. However, that doesn’t fully shut the door as New Orleans could also explore a sign-and-trade option. It’s been reported for a long time that the Lakers have had a major interest in Herb Jones, and while trading him would definitely hurt the Pelicans’ defense, the trade-off could be worth it.

Whether it’s a sign-and-trade or having to give Kennard a bag, whatever Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver can do to get him to the Big Easy, they should do. His shooting presence would elevate the Pelicans’ offense and give them a strong two guard who can play on and off the ball

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