The Detroit Pistons need Luke Kennard to take the next step

Heading into his third season, the Detroit Pistons need to expect that Luke Kennard will transcend his game and become a more efficient scorer.

With the national perception and overall recognition of Luke Kennard‘s game rising, the Detroit Pistons are hoping to see Kennard take an even bigger leap this season. A year ago, he averaged 9.7 points per game on 43 percent shooting, and 39 percent from three. These aren’t bad numbers, however on a team whose main source of offense is contingent on hitting perimeter shots, the Pistons will be expecting a lot out of Kennard.

Through the first four games of the season, Kennard is averaging 18.2 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting, including 45.5 percent from the three point line. Though this is slightly weighted by his dominant performance on opening night where he score 30 points, (a career high) he’s been showing slight glimpses of both inconsistency, and being able to score at an elite level.

The Pistons need the latter. If Kennard is able to keep up the current numbers he’s averaging, he would easily become Detroit’s second best scoring option. The addition of Derrick Rose in the second unit’s backcourt has been a tremendous help to Kennard’s game. Rose has the ability to drive to the basket with our without a pick and roll, and draw enough defenders to him that he can dish to ball to Kennard for an open three.

Kennard has also developed a tremendous ability to create his own shot off the dribble, and can push towards the basket finishing with either hand.

The biggest thing that Detroit needs from Kennard this season is consistency. Back in September, ESPN Senior Writer Zach Lowe wrote about the “NBA’s six most intriguing players”. Where he mentioned Kennard’s role in Detroit.

"There may not be a team that needs a role player to pop as badly as the Pistons need Kennard to establish himself as an above-average wing… He is the rare player — joining fellow Duke sniper JJ Redick — with a listed wingspan shorter than his height."

It’s true. The Pistons need him to emerge as one of the better wings in the entire league, and they don’t have a ton of room for error. The perception of Kennard has never been as high as it currently is – most recognizing him as a quality shot taker and subsequent maker.

However, in order for the Pistons to make a legitimate playoff run this season, they’ll need both Kennard and Rose to make a significant impact. Blake Griffin returning to the team will likely help create a better flow of offense, however as it currently stands Detroit tends to try to lean on Rose and Kennard for their offensive input.

How can Luke Kennard take the next step?

It’s becoming a reoccurring theme that defenders know how to size up Kennard. If a screen is set for him, the last thing the defender should do is go under the screen, otherwise Kennard will immediately take the shot no matter where he is on the floor.

What Kennard has to do a better job of, is generating more of his offense at the rim. Kennard only attempted 61 free throws last season, and although they do need him hitting his threes, it’s equally important that he gets to the line. Through the first several games and even through preseason, he has certainly done a better job of doing just that.

Through four games, Kennard has attempted 18 free throws, and made 16, which is good for 88 percent. That’s the type of efficiency that the Pistons need to see from him.

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Kennard needs to do a better job defensively, as he is currently just an average NBA defender. One of the problems he faces is guarding small forwards, and given the assortment of lineups that coach Dwane Casey has put on the court this season, that’s been happening more frequently.

There has been far more success seeing Kennard come off of the bench rather than him be in the starting lineup. If his efficiency is better as a sixth man, then Casey shouldn’t break anything that isn’t broken. He provides a spark off of the bench that Detroit frequently needs.

Ultimately, it will be his defense, his consistency from beyond the arc, and his ability to get to the line that could really impact Detroit’s success down the line. He operates on pick and roll’s really well, he can dribble into his shot effectively, and he can be lethal he’s on a hot streak.

The Pistons will need a breakout season from Kennard. Expecting around 17 points per game is within the realm of possibility, and hopefully Detroit gets what they need. During Griffin’s absence to open the season, Kennard will have plenty of opportunity to grow.