Report: Lakers eyeing Walker Kessler trade again

The Lakers may not be done reshaping their frontcourt.

Per Lakers Daily, Los Angeles is expected to revisit trade talks for Jazz center Walker Kessler, a player they’ve pursued before. The price? Steep as ever.

According to the report, Utah is holding firm. One source told the outlet the Lakers would need to include Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks just to start the conversation.

That’s a heavy ask for a defensive-minded big, even one as productive as Kessler.

The 24-year-old appeared in 58 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 66 percent from the floor. He piled up 28 double-doubles and continues to be viewed as one of the league’s better true centers.

Kessler and Utah aren’t expected to reach a rookie-scale extension, per The Athletic’s Tony Jones, setting him up for restricted free agency next summer. The Jazz, who finished with a league-worst 17 wins last season, are still weighing how to structure their rebuild.

Meanwhile, the Lakers already added Deandre Ayton this offseason, with head coach JJ Redick expected to start Ayton alongside Luka Doncic, Reaves, Rui Hachimura and LeBron James. But the interest in Kessler suggests Los Angeles still sees room to upgrade defensively in the middle.

James, of course, looms over all of it. The 40-year-old has one year left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Any deal the Lakers make now is with the knowledge that their LeBron window could close as soon as next summer.

So yes, the Lakers like Kessler. But unless they’re willing to sacrifice Reaves and picks, liking him may be as far as it goes.

More NBA Rumors & News