Luka Doncic, Lakers
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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play against the Denver Nuggets.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for a long-term answer at center may have become more complicated.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Washington Wizards have emerged as a potential offseason suitor for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, creating new competition for a player the Lakers have targeted repeatedly in recent years.
“The Wizards are said to be planning an offseason run at Kessler to play on Washington’s frontline alongside Alex Sarr,” Stein wrote Tuesday in The Stein Line. “Utah, of course, would be able to match any offer sheet Kessler signs as a restricted free agent.”
That development places another team squarely in the market for one of the league’s most coveted young big men — and one the Lakers have long admired.
Lakers’ Longstanding Interest in Walker Kessler
Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
GettyRui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers, who are projected to have as much as $50 million in cap room, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, in the offseason, have explored trading for Kessler on multiple occasions.
In September, Lakers Daily’s Ashish Mathur reported — citing a league source — that Los Angeles planned to revisit discussions for Kessler during the 2025–26 season after failing to meet Utah’s asking price in earlier talks.
“They’ve tried to get Walker Kessler many times; they have not been able to meet that steep price,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said in January, 2025 on NBA Countdown.
Michael Scotto of Hoopshype has previously reported that Utah’s demands in those conversations included at least two first-round picks — a price the Lakers have consistently declined to pay.
Scotto added Wednesday that Utah previously passed on a significant Lakers offer before Los Angeles pivoted to Mark Williams, a deal that was ultimately rescinded.
Kessler on Luka Dončić’s Preferred List
Kessler’s name has also surfaced internally as a preferred fit alongside Luka Dončić.
On his Buha’s Block YouTube livestream Tuesday, Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha said Kessler was among several centers Dončić identified as ideal frontcourt partners during offseason planning discussions.
“They had the meeting in Rob’s office asking, ‘Which centers do you want to play with?’” Buha said. “Several of the centers on that list were Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren and Nic Claxton. They tried to get all three with the Dalton Knecht package. They did not get any of them.”
Buha added that Onyeka Okongwu was also on the list, with Williams ultimately landing lower among the preferred options.
Jazz Confident in Retaining Kessler
Despite increased interest leaguewide, Utah continues to express confidence in retaining Kessler.
“Utah is confident in its ability to retain restricted free agent-to-be Walker Kessler,” Stein reported, citing league sources.
Kessler is headed toward restricted free agency after contract extension talks with the Jazz stalled — a development that could reshape the offseason center market and reignite interest from teams like the Lakers and Wizards.
According to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com, negotiations broke down over valuation.
“In contract discussions with the Jazz, Kessler sought upwards of $120 million in total compensation for a long-term contract extension,” Afseth reported in December. “Utah was unwilling to commit to that price range.”
“There was a clear gap in talks,” one source told Afseth.
Injury Shortened Promising Season
Kessler’s 2024–25 season was cut short in November by a shoulder injury, halting what had been a strong start.
Before the injury, the 7-foot-1 center averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocks over five games, reaffirming his value as a rim protector and interior anchor.
At just 24 years old, Kessler remains one of the league’s elite shot blockers — a skill set the Lakers continue to prioritize as they reshape their roster around Dončić.
Utah Holds Significant Leverage
The Jazz retain control of Kessler’s future.
Utah can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him using Bird rights and has the ability to match any offer sheet in restricted free agency. The decision to delay an extension was largely financial, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones.
“By not signing Kessler now, he would have a cap hold of $14.9 million next summer, which would give the Jazz enough space to keep Kessler’s hold and still do work in free agency,” Jones wrote in September.
Kessler has acknowledged frustration but remains professional.
“I’m definitely a little frustrated with how things have gone,” Kessler said at media day. “But regardless, I love Utah… As long as I have a Utah Jazz jersey on, I’m going to play winning basketball.”
The Lakers’ planned pursuit of Kessler now comes with added pressure — and a new rival willing to enter the bidding.