Pistons fans may never forgive the previous regime for passing over Donovan Mitchell and taking Luke Kennard in the 2017 draft, but Kennard is doing his best lately to soften the blow. He has scored in double figures 10 of the last 14 games, helping the Pistons go 12-2 during that stretch. Opposing coaches have taken notice.
“Luke Kennard is really growing up right in front of us,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “The pick-and-roll game, shooting the ball. … You know you have respect when teams come out and double-team you. They were blitzing his pick and rolls. It’s a sign of respect around our league. He’s going to learn how to handle those situations and not let that take his confidence out of his shooting.”
Kennard will make $3.8MM next season and it seems like a mere formality the Pistons will pick up his $5.27MM fourth-year option before the October 31 deadline.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Casey feels the Bulls made a wise decision by acquiring small forward Otto Porter from the Wizards. He’s averaging 18.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.3 APG in his first 11 games with Chicago. “That was a smart move on Chicago’s part to bring him in and kind of set the tone for that team,” the Pistons’ head coach said. “You always want to have a guy that can shoot the ball and defend with his size.”
- The Bulls’ prior starter at small forward could be done for the season, according to Sam Smith from the team’s website. Chandler Hutchison had a scan earlier this week on the toe injury to his right foot. The rookie first-rounder out of Boise State will be reevaluated in two weeks and a decision will then be made whether to shut him down. Hutchison, who was injured on January 25th, has not been able to work out because of a foot injury, Smith notes.
- The Cavaliers should take a hard look at retaining guard David Nwaba, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Nwaba will be a restricted free agent this summer if the Cavs extend a qualifying offer of approximately $1.9MM this summer. Given his injury-riddled season and the fact the team was able to sign him to a minimum contract last summer, it’s hard to envision another team prying him away, Fedor notes. But Nwaba has the second-best plus-minus rating on the team behind only Kevin Love, Fedor adds.
Mitchell > Kennard still.
That is true, but… Kennard has really improved a lot this year, Mitchell not so… actually he hardly has improved. Though Mitchell will always be better, will never be as good as people thought last year after a decent rookie season.
A good portion of Mitchell’s shots are equivalent to half court heaves. A volume shooter at its finest. Eventually shots drop.
Mitchell is averaging 27 ppg in the 28 games since the calendar year turned 2019. Over 30 ppg since the All-star break. To say that Kennard is even in the same league as Mitchell is crazy. Mitchell is going to be a perineal all-star. Kennard will be a solid rotation player.
Perineal does not mean what you think it does. ‘Taint an annual event, bro.
Mitchell is and will continue to be the better all around player. But I think kennard has emerged as a better shooter than him and still will be a good player for years in the league. I can see his ceiling rip hamilton, reggie miller, jj reddick type.