Lakers get their big with massive Utah Jazz trade

Walker Kessler. Peter Creveling-Imagn Images

Lakers get their big with massive Utah Jazz trade

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 12:50 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer in the market for a starting center.

On Wednesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Lakers are adding center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in exchange for two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033) and two first-round swaps (2028, 2030). The four-year pro is set to sign a four-year, $130M contract.

A 2022 first-round pick, Kessler emerged as one of the league's top post presences over his first three seasons, averaging over two blocks per season and leading the league in offensive rebounds per game (4.6) in 2024-25.

The deal, which owes Kessler $32.5M annually, is a bit of an overpay, however. ESPN's Tim Bontemps wrote in May, "The consensus is that Kessler [signs] a new deal with the Jazz in the range of $25 million to $30 million a year."

The Lakers are also betting on improved health based on his deal. Kessler was limited to five games last season after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in November 2025.

Over the past two years, Kessler has missed 101 games, also missing time in 2024-25 with a hip injury and a concussion. When available, he's averaged 11.3 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 66.7 percent.

Lakers pay a substantial price in adding center Walker Kessler

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

While the deal comes with some concern, the Lakers were desperate to land a center this offseason, which Kessler's contract confirms. Los Angeles has had suspect frontcourt depth since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, and the major addition shores up the organization's rim protection.

Per Cleaning the Glass, opponents shot 71.5 percent at the rim against the Lakers last season, the league's second-highest shooting percentage. Kessler was the best realistic option for the Lakers to address the glaring need at center, but his availability will go a long way in determining the deal's overall impact. Without improved health, Los Angeles might be back in the market sooner than it'd prefer.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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