The Los Angeles Lakers made their long-awaited move at the trade deadline, but it was not the swing many fans had been bracing for. Instead of landing a defensive wing or pulling off a headline-grabbing blockbuster, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka opted for a smaller, more practical adjustment that immediately split opinion across the fanbase.

According to Shams Charania, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luke Kennard. Kennard is on an expiring $11 million contract, the same financial slot Vincent occupied, making the move clean from a cap perspective.

From a basketball standpoint, the reasoning is straightforward. The Lakers have struggled badly with perimeter shooting outside of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James. Kennard directly addresses that weakness. He is shooting 49.7 percent from three this season, owns a 44.2 percent career mark, and is averaging 7.9 points per game while hitting 53.8 percent from the field across 46 appearances.

Despite that efficiency, the reaction from Laker Nation was anything but calm.

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Fans questions Lakers’ intent following the Luke Kennard trade on deadline day

The Lakers started the 2025-26 season like proper contenders, but soon they were caught out and the issues in the roster were visible. They faltered due to their dependence on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James. The quality takes a massive dip beyond these three players, especially when it comes to shooting. Similarly, the Purple and Gold are also struggling with their defense, and they entered the trade window to secure a defensive wing.

They chased a few players, but nothing materialized. So they eventually decided to make a move for a shooter who would improve their efficiency beyond the star players and would also be extremely cost-effective. However, since the trade doesn’t make the Lakers a contender for the Championship this season, the fans are a little frustrated.

“Lakers just traded a walking corpse (Gabe Vincent) + a 2032 2nd for washed-up shooter Luke Kennard,” a fan wrote in frustration. The Lakers largely needed to address their defensive and shooting woes, and while Kennard is not a world-class defender, he is great at shooting the ball. He is s averaging 7.9 points per game while shooting 53.8% from the field and 49.7% from three-point land in 46 games with the Hawks. The 29-year-old will provide Doncic and LeBron with an added outlet on the wing whenever they are caught up by a defender. So the fans are mostly frustrated because they expected their team to go for a difference maker in this trade deadline. Someone who would make them contenders. 

“Rob You A Demon,” another Lakers supporter wrote in anger. While fans can often tend to cross the line in their emotions, one must understand that there are only certain things that Pelinka could have done in this trade window. Some rumors were suggesting that the Lakers could make a move for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but such news were always more hopeful than imminent.

The fact that there were multiple rumors associating the Lakers with a blockbuster trade deal gave the fans the illusion that the Purple and Gold were up for something big and when they only got hold of Kennard, the fans were visibly disappointed. Hence, a supporter wrote, “This is what you make me wait for Rob?”

However, there were people with positivity as well. “That’s sounds like a good deal to me. Or what do you think?” another user wrote on X with a lot of curiosity, as it is an instant upgrade for the Lakers, given Vincent never really found his footing in Los Angeles.  Overall, the trade sounds logical for both teams as both players are on expiring deals, and if they don’t work out, then they can simply not extend for the next season. That’s what another fan said on X. “Sneaky good move for the Lakers. Clean, logical deal for both sides,” he wrote.

Overall, the Lakers may continue to have questions with their defensive issues going forward, but they would hope that Kennard makes a difference off the bench with his shooting and floor spacing, which allows them to outscore opponents and help them secure a few more wins.