Upgrading the center position was the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason and the team believes they got their guy in Walker Kessler. The Lakers acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal that cost them two unprotected first-round draft picks as well as two first-round pick swaps.
Giving up that many assets is a lot, but the Lakers believe it was worth it as they view Kessler as the perfect center to pair with their backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
The cost was steep but the Lakers feel like Walker Kessler is the “perfect” center for a team built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, per a source, and they’ve paid significantly for that fit.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 1, 2026
The Lakers now have no tradable first-round picks for the next seven years, but acquiring Kessler was that important to this front office. And the big man does have the ideal tools, which should allow him to thrive alongside Doncic and Reaves.
Kessler is a rim-runner who will have no problems finishing at the basket from the great set-ups he will receive from Doncic and Reaves. He is also an excellent offensive rebounder who led the league in that category in 2025 and has been one of the best rim protectors since entering the NBA in 2022. There is no doubt that he will bring a lot to this team on both ends of the court.
Whether the Lakers gave up too much for him is going to be a question that follows this franchise, but in doing so, they were also able to pay him far less than the maximum which allowed the team to make their other free agency moves. The team also signed guards Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes, as well as stretch big Sandro Mamukelashvili to help round out the roster.
The Lakers wanted to truly build this team around Doncic and they believe they have done that with these moves. And chief among them was the center that they feel will make a major difference and hopefully help push this team into championship contention.
Lakers superstar Luka Doncic shares message for LeBron James on social media
Of course, the Lakers will also part ways with LeBron James as he informed the team he won’t be returning for the 2026-27 season and following that announcement, Doncic took to social media to praise to his former teammate.
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