Atlanta Hawks Sign Free Agent Guard Luke Kennard To One Year, $11 Million Deal

Mar 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) drives past Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Hawks remain busy tonight.

Just shortly after completing a sign-and-trade for Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Atlanta Hawks have signed one of the elite shooters in the NBA. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Hawks are signing free agent guard Luke Kennard to a one year, $11 million deal.

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

One of the Hawks biggest weaknesses on their roster was shooting and despite adding Kristaps Porzingis already this offseason, they need more of it. Surrounding Trae Young with shooters is a recipe for success and there are not many in the NBA that are better than Kennard. For his career, Kennard is a 43.8% three-point shooter and has not shot worse from 40% from three since the 2019-2020 season. Kennard is not the strongest defender, but he adds an instant boost to the Hawks bench and their shooting.

With the Kennard signing, the Hawks are now at 12-roster spots and three two-way players. They still have three roster spots to fill and other areas to address, but has been a really nice evening for the Hawks and they are starting to assemble one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference.

The Atlanta Hawks have been making numerous moves this offseason as they build a solid championship contender this summer, based on the moves they have made so far. Since the season ended for the Hawks, they have made front office changes by adding former assistant general manager Onsi Saleh as the new general manager, as well as former Pelicans general manager Bryson Graham and 76ers executive Peter Dinwiddie to senior front office roles.

Mar 31, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) drives to the basket as Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Hawks, however, didn't stop at just changes within the front office; they also made ablockbuster tradewith the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, trading the number 22 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Terance Mann, to the Brooklyn Nets. Georges Niang was traded to the Celtics with a second-round pick in return for Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round draft pick. Following this, the Hawks made adraft-night trade that caused widespread disbelief, as they traded up to the 13th pick in exchange for the 23rd pick and an unprotected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft

Alexander-Walker is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and is a career 36% three-point shooter.

This move makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. Alexander-Walker is a very good defender and a career 36% three-point shooter. He becomes a top bench option for the Hawks both on offense and defense. After tonight, the Hawks are a much better team and have addressed some of their biggest weaknesses on the roster. With three more spots to fill, expect more transactions in Atlanta.