Suns Discuss a Trade for Pistons’ Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard with Duke in 2017. Photo by Scott Kinser/CSM/Shutterstock

It seems like the Phoenix Suns have still not given up on their playoff hunt. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Suns are looking for a shooter on the trade market and have engaged in talks with Detroit Pistons over Luke Kennard.

Wojnarowski reports that Suns are willing to part ways with a first-round draft pick in order to land Kennard and that the discussions are already in an advanced stage. Besides the first-rounder, Pistons would also get Jevon Carter and Elie Okobo as salary fillers.

Kennard has been having a career year at the beginning of the season, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while hitting almost 40.0 percent of his threes. However, the 23-year-old has been out since mid-December and won’t return until after the All-Star break.

Suns’ are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA, so it isn’t a surprise that they are willing to pay high for Luke Kennard. He would help the team space the floor, and Suns are ready to give Kennard extended minutes. The fact that he is also a solid defender just adds to his appeal.

For Pistons, the reasoning to part ways with Kennard is rather simple. His price is high right now, and the team is going nowhere. Blake Griffin is out for the season, while Andre Drummond is also on the trade block. Detroit might be heading towards a full rebuild, and Kennard trade might just set it off.