Hawks Continue Free Agency Push by Adding Luke Kennard on One-Year Deal

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The Atlanta Hawks continued to push their chips in to make a move in the wide-open Eastern Conference Monday night.
According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Hawks came to terms with former Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard on a one-year, $11 million deal. He spent the last two-plus seasons with the Grizzlies after he was dealt by the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2023 trade deadline.
Free agent sharpshooter Luke Kennard has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell ESPN. Kennard has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and Atlanta negotiated the new deal with CAA's Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn. pic.twitter.com/630xGDjmuo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
The deal brings another impact player to Atlanta shortly after they brought in former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker on a four-year, $62 million sign-and-trade deal. Atlanta already acquired Kristaps Porzingis via trade and will see the return of forward Jalen Johnson alongside star guard Trae Young. They also hope for further leaps from last year's Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels and the 2024 No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher.
Kennard brings a knock-down shooter into the fold as a career 43.8% three-point shooter who connected on a 43.3% clip from deep last season. The Hawks did lose Caris LeVert to the Detroit Pistons and Clint Capela to the Houston Rockets, but they are one of the most active teams on the market working to make a jump next season.
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Blake Silverman is a writer at Sports Illustrated, primarily covering the NBA and WNBA. Before joining SI in November 2024 as a breaking/trending news writer, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation and A10Talk. He’s an alum of both Michigan State and St. Bonaventure University, receiving a master’s degree from the Bonnies’ sports journalism program. Outside of work, he’s a husband, father, yogi and fairly mediocre tennis player who’s open to any tips on how to play defense in EA Sports College Football.