Overlooked Hawks signing solves Atlanta’s nagging weakness

During the Trae Young era, the Atlanta Hawks have struggled to find a backup point guard to lead the non-Young minutes. Luke Kennard, most well-known for his lights-out 3-point shooting, is the backup the Hawks need to make a title push next season.

Last season, Kennard was one of the primary initiators for Memphis when Ja Morant sat, often bringing the ball up and running pick and roll with a bench squad of all-around role players eerily reminiscent of the new-look Hawks team. Kennard showed incredible poise as a playmaker, making sharp reads without turning the ball over.

The addition of Kennard has been the sole controversial move in an otherwise widely praised Hawks offseason led by new GM Onsi Saleh. What Kennard’s critics fail to realize is that Kennard is more than just a three-point specialist; he is a combo guard whose game is the perfect complement for Young’s unique skillset.

Kennard will be the best bench initiator in Atlanta since Lou Williams

Kennard was not the full-time backup point guard in Memphis and does not receive national praise for his passing ability. However, one look at Kennard’s tape from last season shows that Kennard is more than capable of leading a bench unit, especially if he shares the floor with the Hawks' offensive weapons, such as Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, or Zaccharie Risacher.

In Trae Young’s career, the Hawks have had one backup point guard who was capable of running a second unit: Lou Williams. Williams, like Kennard, was not the traditional pass-first point typically seen in a backup role. However, Williams was a 16-year veteran who knew how to lead an offense, having won three Sixth Man of the Year awards before joining Atlanta. Williams was able to keep the Hawks' offense running smoothly while Young sat, leading to an improbable Conference Finals appearance.

Kennard, like Williams, is not a full-time point guard. However, the Hawks don’t need him to be one. Trae Young sat for twelve minutes per game last year, meaning Kennard will only be required to handle brief stints as the primary initiator. Kennard possesses an advanced passing ability, demonstrating the capacity to play with patience or tempo depending on the situation. He thrives at finding shooters and cutters while driving to the rim, which could be a lethal combination with Johnson, Risacher, and Dyson Daniels.

The primary reason Atlanta has struggled to find a backup for Young is that the backup point guard role isn’t a job that talented players in that role want. Bench point guards are traditionally limited scorers who wouldn’t fit well with the ball-dominant Young on the floor. As a result, the Hawks have been left with few options to fill this critical role.

Kennard’s offensive versatility makes him a perfect option to fill this role. With Young on the court, Kennard will be able to weaponize his lethal three-point shooting next to Young’s dynamic three-level scoring and jaw-dropping playmaking ability. With Young on the bench, Kennard can fill the role of offensive initiator and run offensive actions.

With Kennard leading the second unit, the Hawks have finally solved their biggest weakness since drafting Young.