Grading rookie NBA extensions handed out before the deadline

Luke Kennard (four-year $64 million)

Though no Donovan Mitchell, Luke Kennard is coming off a breakout season with career-best averages of 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.

He is an unquestionable upgrade over Landry Shamet, an equally adept outside shooter (39.9 percent on over six attempts per game) and superior ballhandler (77th percentile as a pick-and-roll initiator). The more creators at Tyronn Lue’s disposal, the more attention he can draw away from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and in this instance without sacrificing floor spacing.

Questions about Kennard are directed towards his durability. He missed 38 games in Detroit’s abbreviated season after playing in just 63 games the prior year. The LA Clippers are the last team in need of more injury histories to manage after similar circumstances derailed their chemistry and subsequently their season in 2020.

That doesn’t make Kennard a mistake for LA to bring in. Especially when considering how little Shamet was utilized. But if the questions about his health are legitimate, why commit to them so early in the relationship?

Let’s say Kennard outperforms the $16 million a year he’s owed and is able to turn that into a more lucrative offer sheet elsewhere. The Clippers have clearly shown no hesitation when it comes to spending big to capitalize on the championship opportunity in front of them, having given $64 million to Marcus Morris before committing north of $200 million to Paul George.

But by locking in Kennard now, LA loses the chance to truly see what that inconsistent availability means for its team and adjust its valuations accordingly.

Perhaps they were comfortable with the middle ground they came to. That feeling might not last long if Kennard isn’t able to hold up his end of the deal.

Grade: B