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Lakers acquire 3-point shooter Luke Kennard from busy Hawks for point guard Gabe Vincent

Lakers acquire 3-point shooter Luke Kennard from busy Hawks for point guard Gabe Vincent | iNFOnews.ca
Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard (4) shoots against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks remained busy before the NBA trade deadline Thursday by acquiring point guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick from the Los Angeles Lakers for shooting guard Luke Kennard.

Vincent provides depth and steady point guard play for the Hawks, whose busy trade season began with the deal which sent All-Star point guard Trae Young to Washington for a package including guards CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on Jan. 7. Vincent has been dogged by injuries while playing in just 29 games this season, averaging 4.8 points and struggling with his outside shot in his third season with the Lakers.

The 29-year-old Kennard was the Lakers’ only deadline acquisition, but he addresses their biggest offensive need. He has averaged 7.9 points in 46 games for Atlanta, but he leads the NBA with 49.7% shooting on 3-point attempts.

Los Angeles is hitting only 34.8% of its shots from behind the arc this season, ranking 22nd in the league and hindering an offense that needs floor-spacing, defense-stretching options to play alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Kennard will wear No. 10 when he becomes the 70th player in league history to suit up for both the Lakers and the crosstown Los Angeles Clippers. He was a role player on the Clippers’ 2021 Western Conference finals team during 2 1/2 seasons with the franchise.

On Wednesday, the Hawks acquired center Jock Landale from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations and traded center Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State in exchange for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.

Also Thursday, Atlanta requested waivers on injured center Duop Reath and center N’Faly Dante. Dante is out for the season with a knee injury. The Hawks acquired Reath on Sunday in a trade that sent forward Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Hawks also obtained second-round draft picks in 2027 and 2030 in the deal.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Lakers acquire 3-point shooter Luke Kennard from busy Hawks for point guard Gabe Vincent | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) handles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Lakers acquire 3-point shooter Luke Kennard from busy Hawks for point guard Gabe Vincent | iNFOnews.ca
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’andre Hunter (12) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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The Associated Press

Charles Odum

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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