Luke Kennard, widely celebrated as one of the NBA’s purest marksmen, has consistently impressed teams and fans alike with his sharpshooting and subtle playmaking. Whether he is raining triples off pindowns or spotting up in transition, his offensive prowess is undeniable. Now, the Atlanta Hawks are set to bring the talented shooting guard into their roster, a move significantly aided by All-Star point guard Trae Young.
During the 2024-25 campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies, Kennard appeared in 63 games, averaging 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 21.9 minutes per contest. He showcased exceptional efficiency, shooting 47.5% from the field and a scorching 42.9% from 3-point range.
Hawks Ink Luke Kennard to $11 Million Deal After Trae Young’s Recruitment
On June 30, the Hawks officially agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with the 29-year-old shooting guard, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. This pivotal deal was reportedly negotiated by CAA agents Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn.
Free agent sharpshooter Luke Kennard has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell ESPN. Kennard has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and Atlanta negotiated the new deal with CAA’s Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn. pic.twitter.com/630xGDjmuo
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
While the Hawks’ front office publicly announced the signing, star guard Trae Young played a crucial role behind the scenes.
According to Sports Illustrated, Young personally reached out to Kennard and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, actively encouraging them to join the Hawks. NBA insider Chris Haynes further corroborated Young’s involvement, reporting that the Hawks star was “very vocal and active” regarding the deal.
“Hawks star Trae Young was very vocal and active in recruiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta, sources tell me,” Haynes reported. “He was heavily involved in the process to lure one of the top wing free agents on the market.”
Hawks star Trae Young was very vocal and active in recruiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta, sources tell me. He was heavily involved in the process to lure one of the top wing free agents on the market.
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2025
Kennard’s acquisition follows Atlanta’s significant sign-and-trade deal for Alexander-Walker, who signed a four-year, $62 million contract. Alexander-Walker averaged 9.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 38.5% from deep in all 82 games for the Timberwolves last season. These two roster moves collectively represent a significant upgrade to Atlanta’s floor spacing.
Boosting Offensive Versatility and Flexibility
With Kennard’s career 43.7% mark from beyond the arc and Alexander-Walker’s consistent 38.5% last season, the Hawks are clearly signaling a roster revamp designed to maximize Young’s exceptional playmaking abilities. A critical need for Atlanta has been more reliable shooting, and Kennard’s proven 3-point accuracy immediately enhances the Hawks’ bench production and overall offensive spacing.
Kennard’s 2024-25 performance further highlights why his skill set is so highly valued. Within Memphis’s pick-and-roll schemes, he seamlessly alternated between corner spotting and off-dribble pull-ups, consistently forcing opposing defenses into difficult decisions.
From a financial standpoint, the one-year agreement aligns with Atlanta’s strategic cap management. Committing $11 million now provides the Hawks with crucial long-term flexibility, allowing them to thoroughly evaluate Kennard’s fit alongside emerging talents such as Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
This approach also positions the franchise to potentially revisit Kennard for a team-friendly extension if his contributions prove successful and the partnership flourishes.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, these strategic signings send a clear message: Atlanta is fully committed to contending now. The combined forces of Young’s court vision, Kennard’s soft touch, and Alexander-Walker’s versatile two-way play will give the Hawks a multi-faceted perimeter attack.
As the roster continues to take shape, the Hawks appear poised to assemble one of the league’s most dangerous and balanced lineups, ready to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
