Detroit Pistons: 3 goals for Luke Kennard’s success in 2018

3. Shoot at least 43 percent from 3-point range

Last season, Kennard shot 41.5 percent from downtown. Among qualified rookies, only Tatum shot a higher percentage from 3-point range. Only nine players, including Reggie Bullock and former teammate Anthony Tolliver, shot at least 43 percent last season. In Casey’s system, which should create a lot more open looks, that number should be easily attainable for a marksman of Kennard’s caliber.

The Pistons focused on adding more shooting this offseason, with the drafting of Khyri Thomas and free agents Jose Calderon and Glenn Robinson III. However, other than Robinson, it would be surprising for them to see a ton of floor time. Kennard will have to make up for the departed Tolliver. With Reggie Jackson, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond on the floor, they will need as much spacing to work with as possible.

Kennard has always been a deadeye shooter and always will be. With more time to adjust to the longer 3-point line, he should be even more dialed in. Shooting 40 percent is not as impressive as it used to be. If Kennard shoots at or below his previous mark this season, it should be considered a failure. He will increase his shooting from all areas of the floor, but his shooting from distance will be huge.