Since moving on from Anthony Davis in the Luka Doncic trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have been embarrassingly short-handed in their center rotation. They have failed to properly address the massive hole left by AD's departure at last year's trade deadline or this offseason. The addition of Deandre Ayton will certainly help, but the Lakers have one of the weakest big man rotations among playoff hopefuls in the NBA.
That is why Walker Kessler has long been a name associated with the Lakers. Not only is he considered to be gettable due to the rebuild in Utah, but his rookie-scale contract, which will pay him only $4.8 million next season, also makes him a very appealing trade target. In the restrictive cap environment of today's NBA, it is of utmost importance to find starter-caliber players on rookie-scale contracts, and Kessler certainly fits that bill.
So far, however, the Jazz have played hardball and haven't made Kessler available in trade discussions. The latest report by The Athletic's Tony Jones, however, suggests that this may be changing. Jones reveals that contract extension negotiations between Kessler and Utah have stalled, and the sides may not reach an agreement as the 24-year-old center enters the final season of his contract.
Lakers-Walker Kessler Buzz Will Get Louder After Latest Contract News
This clears the path for Kessler to hit restricted free agency in the 2026 offseason. The Lakers, who have been a "past admirer of Kessler's", as described by Jones, are lurking as a team with cap space that can make a play on Kessler next summer.
Another possibility is trading for Kessler before allowing him to hit free agency. If the Jazz are hesitant to pay the defensive stalwart, they could be willing to part ways with him during the season and recoup some value, similar to what the OKC Thunder did with Josh Giddey last season, trading him before he entered restricted free agency.
This would present an opportunity for the Lakers to bolster their frontcourt and add a defensive anchor to the mix. Los Angeles can trade an unprotected 2031 or 2032 first-round pick and add more pick swaps to entice the Jazz. Kessler's team-friendly salary makes this trade easier, as the Lakers wouldn't have to include other players except for Dalton Knecht or whoever else the Jazz may be interested in. Kessler fits the Lakers' timeline around Luka Doncic, and could be an appealing option for L.A. to give a long-term contract extension next summer.
The possibility of trading for Kessler will likely depend on how well Ayton does to start the season. If Ayton and Jaxson Hayes seem capable enough to split center minutes - Lakers fans should have their doubts - then the franchise's' trade chips could be better used elsewhere. Otherwise, prepare to hear continuous Kessler-to-Lakers buzz throughout the season.