Lakers Trade for Walker Kessler
The Lakers had a clear goal this offseason: to secure a solid big man for their roster. It seems they’ve managed to do just that by finalizing a trade with the Jazz for restricted free agent center Walker Kessler. In exchange, Los Angeles will give up unprotected first-round picks set for 2031 and 2033, plus first-round pick exchanges in 2028 and 2030.
Kessler will sign a four-year contract worth $130 million with the Lakers shortly after the agreement.
This move has been something of a dream for the Lakers, as Kessler has been a target alongside star guard Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, not to mention Jalen Duren from the Pistons, who’s also a restricted free agent. By trading for Kessler, the team avoids the complications of dealing with an offer sheet, ensuring they have both a present and future big man who can effectively complement Doncic’s playing style.
Since being selected 22nd overall by the Jazz in the 2022 draft, Kessler has showcased impressive stats: averaging 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks over 201 regular-season games. He quickly established himself as one of the top rim protectors in the league.
Remarkably, Kessler’s defensive prowess has placed him in the top seven for defensive field goal percentage within six feet of the rim throughout each of his first three seasons. He notably excelled in his first full season as a starter (2024-25), averaging a double-double with 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds.
Kessler’s numbers continued to impress, as he led the league in offensive rebounds in his third season. In the most recent season, he managed to put up averages of 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.8 blocks across five games before suffering a torn posterior labrum in his left shoulder, which required surgical intervention.
Interestingly, he had begun to expand his shooting range, attempting more three-pointers than in previous seasons—1.6 per game, compared to just 0.3 in his earlier years. He actually hit 6 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc in the last season, a significant jump from his earlier performances.
