Franklin native Kennard agrees to contract extension with Clippers

FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2019, file photo, Detroit Pistons' Luke Kennard (5) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. The Los Angeles Clippers acquired  Kennard from Detroit as part of a three-way deal with the Pistons and Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Credit: Tony Dejak

Credit: Tony Dejak

FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2019, file photo, Detroit Pistons' Luke Kennard (5) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. The Los Angeles Clippers acquired Kennard from Detroit as part of a three-way deal with the Pistons and Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Luke Kennard to a multiyear contract extension.

Kennard, a Franklin High School grad, was acquired as part of a three-team trade on Nov. 19. He averaged a career-high 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 28 games for Detroit last season. The 6-foot-5 guard was selected by the Pistons as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft out of Duke.

Kennard averaged 7.3 points, 1.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds while playing 19 minutes in the Clippers’ three preseason losses. They open the season Tuesday against the NBA champion Lakers as the visiting team.

Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, called Kennard “a fantastic fit” for the organization and said the 24-year-old’s versatility and maturity is impressive.

ESPN reported the deal was for four years and $64 million.

Kennard was a two-time Mr. Ohio Basketball winner at Franklin who finished his prep career as the No. 2 scorer in Ohio history. He played collegiately at Duke.

Kennard, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, was traded to the Clippers from the Pistons in the offseason. He spent his first three NBA seasons in Detroit, averagng 9.8 points per game. His best season was last year’s shortened campaign in which he averaged 15.8 points in 28 games.

Kennard was a two-time Mr. Ohio Basketball winner at Franklin who finished his prep career as the No. 2 scorer in Ohio history. He played collegiately at Duke.

About the Author