Mar 31, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) makes the basket against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images David Butler II-Imagn Images

Lakers Attached to Surprising 'Dream' Trade Target

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated May 30, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers face a long offseason of potentially major change after having totally reset their contention timeline by trading to acquire five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic just ahead of this past season's deadline.

Currently, Doncic finds himself on a roster built to abet now-departed 10-time All-Star center/power forward Anthony Davis, who was the focal piece of L.A.'s trade with the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Doncic.

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The Lakers have one clear need that became glaringly apparently during their first round playoff series defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves: a traditional center, ideally a rim-roller to pair with Doncic.

Greg Swarz of Bleacher Report suggests that third-year Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, still just 23, could be an intriguing trade option for the Lakers this summer.

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"It's no secret which position the Los Angeles Lakers will be targeting this offseason," Swarz said. "Finding a starting center is a must, preferably one who can finish off lobs from Luka Dončić and LeBron James while providing some rim protection."

"Kessler's 2.4 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA this season," Swarz noted, behind only All-Star San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama's 3.8 rejections a night.

Walker Kessler international block party pic.twitter.com/ckC8s83oji
— Power of Dixieland (@PwrofDixieland) August 18, 2023

Swarz also floated Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton and one-time All-Star Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen as possible trade fits for Los Angeles.

In 58 healthy games for the 17-65 Jazz this past season, Kessler posted averages of 11.1 points on 66.3 percent field goal shooting (mostly around the rim, of course) and 52 percent free throw shooting, 12.2 rebounds, the aforementioned 2.4 rejections, 1.7 dishes and 0.6 steals a night.

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Kessler is currently still on his rookie-scale contract, but will be eligible for a contract extension starting this summer.

With Utah seemingly content to keep acquiring draft assets from now until infinity, one wonders if the Lakers would be open to parting with their 2031 first-round draft pick, plus perhaps a pick swap or a second rounder, in order to bring in Kessler.

Los Angeles almost traded 2024-25 rookie shooting guard Dalton Knecht for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams this year. His deal would fit in nicely as part of a trade for Kessler.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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