The Los Angeles Lakers' quest to bolster their frontcourt resumes this week now that NBA free agency is finally here. Although general manager Rob Pelinka could pinch pennies to sign a budget free agent, the Lakers can also use the trade market to address their center needs, which might be the right call given their limited amount of spending cash.
One center who's been linked to the Lakers throughout June is Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz. The former Auburn Tiger will be due a huge pay raise as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, meaning the Jazz could be interested in cutting ties before being forced to open their checkbook.
It was recently reported Los Angeles had made an offer for Kessler. Although a deal didn't materialize at the time, it looks like L.A. now has an opportunity to circle back.
Lakers Must Target Walker Kessler After Jazz Trade for Jusuf Nurkic
The Jazz shook up their roster on Sunday, trading guard Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for veteran center Jusuf Nurkic.
Jazz are trading Collin Sexton and a 2031 2nd-RD pick to the Hornets for Jusuf Nurkic, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/XxNutaXQUj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 29, 2025
Reading between the lines, the trade may have telegraphed Kessler's availability. Trading away the 23-year-old rebounder before doing business with the Hornets would've left the Jazz's frontcourt without an experienced center. Now that Nurkic is in the fold, a potential Kessler trade is back on the table, meaning GM Pelinka must pick up the phone now.
Drafted 22nd overall in 2022, Kessler has improved with each passing year, and the 2024-25 campaign was his best to date. The Atlanta, GA native averaged career highs in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2), assists (1.7), and field goals made per game (4.8). He even led the NBA with 4.6 offensive boards per game while also recording a double-double in 28 of his 58 outings (48.3%).
Not only does he rebound well, but Kessler is also the perfect lob threat who could take advantage of Luka Doncic and LeBron James' playmaking wizardry. Acquiring the proven glass threat would also be a way for the Lakers to prove to the four-time NBA MVP that they're still serious about competing for a title despite also making moves with their future in mind.
A potential trade would likely see the Lakers include Dalton Knecht, whose $4 million cap hit is the closest to matching Kessler's financial value ($4.5 million). Considering how Knecht was phased out of head coach JJ Redick's plans as the season progressed, L.A. could be open to parting ways with the recent first-round pick.
Kessler is the ideal center who'd solve the Lakers' needs, and his price might be lower now that time has passed since they last contacted the Jazz. If that's the case, L.A.'s front office can't hesitate to pull the trigger on the type of trade that would catapult them into the NBA title conversation.
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