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Ex-Pistons Sharpshooter Drawing Heavy Free Agency Interest

Former Detroit Pistons sniper, Luke Kennard, is a big name heading into free agency.
Justin Grasso|
Mar 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots during pregame warmups against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots during pregame warmups against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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Detroit Pistons

The former Detroit Pistons sharpshooter Luke Kennard is quickly becoming one of the most popular names on the free agency market, which opens shortly.

While the Pistons could be interested in a potential reunion with Kennard, it seems they are not relevant in the market to land his services. The Memphis Grizzlies veteran has several playoff contenders ready to make a bid when the market opens, and the price could be going up quickly as a result.

NBA Insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that the Houston Rockets are expected to “explore the feasibility of signing” Kennard this summer. Along with the Rockets, Kennard is expected to gain interest from the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets.

Luke Kennar
Apr 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

It seems Atlanta could sweep up two potential primary targets for the Pistons, as both teams have registered an interest in Nickeil Alexander-Walker as well.

Kennard just wrapped up his second full season with the Grizzlies. In 65 games, he averaged nine points and shot 43 percent from three. With the Pistons potentially moving on from their veteran sharpshooter Malik Beasley, Kennard would be an excellent replacement in the second unit.

The Pistons know Kennard well. Coming out of Duke in 2017, Kennard was Detroit’s 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He spent his first three seasons playing for Detroit, appearing in 164 games. Over that time, Kennard averaged nearly 10 points and shot threes at a 40 percent clip.

Kennard was moved to the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2020 offseason. After three seasons with the Clippers, Kennard was traded again to the Grizzlies.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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