The Los Angeles Lakers announced they have acquired center Walker Kessler is a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz in exchange for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
As part of the deal, Kessler is reportedly signing a four-year, $130 million contract with the Lakers. The contract includes a player option in the fourth season and a full trade kicker.
“At the core of every great Lakers team is a dominant big man,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “At just 24 years old, Walker Kessler has established himself as one of the elite two-way centers in the game. When the opportunity presented itself to pair a rim-protecting, lob-catching big with our two premier pick-and-roll guards, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, we seized it. Walker will embody the core pillars we value in our players: high character, high basketball IQ and elite competitiveness as we enter the next era of Lakers basketball. It’s an incredibly proud moment to add someone with Walker’s unique skill set and makeup to our program.”
Kessler was originally drafted 22nd overall in 2022 out of Auburn. He was sent from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert trade and spent the last four seasons in Utah.
Overall in 201 career NBA games (125 starts), Kessler has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 68.1% from the field. His last full season came in 2024-25 when he played 58 contests and put up 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 30 minutes per game.
The 24-year-old looked great to begin last season as in the first five games, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on 70.3% shooting. Kessler even appeared to develop a 3-point shot, making six of eight attempts from deep in a very small sample. He unfortunately then went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, missing the final 77 games for Utah.
Kessler will wear No. 14 for the Purple and Gold.
Lakers believe Walker Kessler is perfect fit
While the Lakers gave up a lot to get Kessler, sending two unprotected first-rounders and two swaps to the Jazz, they reportedly believe he is a perfect fit alongside their two stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Kessler can help make up for their weaknesses on the defensive end with his rebounding and rim protection, while Doncic and Reaves can get the big man easy lobs and baskets on the offensive end. He is also known to be solid screener, although that is one aspect of his game he can continue developing.
With Kessler only being 24 years of age, he fits the Lakers’ timeline as they enter a new era with Doncic and Reaves leading the way and a roster they feel is better built around them. Other new additions include Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy and Kevon Looney.
Prying away a restricted free agent from their current team is never easy, so the Lakers had to make an offer with draft capital that the Jazz couldn’t refuse in order to land Kessler.
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