The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February in one of the most shocking trades in sports history.
Behind Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers finished the season as the third seed in the West. They were projected by many to compete for the championship.
However, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs in five quick games.
Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick played without a center in the second half of Game 4 and all of Game 5 against the Timberwolves. The Lakers need to acquire a center this offseason for Doncic.
The Lakers have been urged to trade for Jazz center Walker Kessler.
The Lakers have been urged to trade for Jazz center Walker Kessler.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
With that said, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes Los Angeles should attempt to trade for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.
"Kessler has ranked in the 95th percentile or better in block rate among big men in each of his first three seasons," Hughes wrote. "That kind of interior presence would transform a Los Angeles Lakers team that ranked 21st in blocks per 100 possessions and 25th in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim last year.
"In addition to protecting the rim for a team that doesn't currently have a starting-caliber center on the roster, Kessler could juice the offense with his league-leading 4.6 offensive boards per game and dangerous lob-catching skills.
"Doncic thrives when he has a vertical spacer at the 5, and Kessler's 132 dunks last season were the most of any player who logged fewer than 60 games."
According to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, the Jazz are willing to hear trade offers for Kessler, who can sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. The big man will make $4.9 million next season.
Kessler played in 58 games for Utah this season. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.4 blocks while shooting 66.3% from the floor and 52.0% from the foul line.