Securing a top-notch big man was one of the Lakers’ biggest priorities entering the offseason.
And the Lakers achieved that goal, agreeing to terms on a trade with the Jazz for restricted free agent center Walker Kessler. Los Angeles will receive Kessler from the Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
Kessler will then sign a 4-year, $130 million contract with Los Angeles.
Kessler, along with Pistons star big man Jalen Duren, who’s also a restricted free agent, were among the Lakers’ top targets this offseason to pair alongside superstar guard Luka Doncic and star guard Austin Reaves.
And because they agreed on the trade instead of dealing with an offer sheet, the Lakers have secured their big man of the present and future, signing the ideal center who fits the archetype of centers Doncic thrives alongside.
Kessler has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes across 201 regular season games since the Jazz drafted him with the No. 22 pick in the 2022 draft.
He’s been one of the NBA’s best rim protectors since entering the league out of Auburn.
Kessler ranked in the top-seven of defensive field goal percentage difference allowed within six feet of the rim in each of his first three seasons, including No. 3 as a rookie and No. 3 as a second-year player.
In addition to averaging a double-double (11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds to go with 2.4 blocks) in his first season as a full-time starter in 2024-25, Kessler led the league in offensive rebounds (4.6) in his third season.
Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds (4.6 offensive rebounds), 3 assists and 1.8 blocks across five games (30.8 minutes per game) during 2025-26 before suffering a season-ending torn posterior labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery.
Before his injury, Kessler further experimented with expanding his shooting range with a higher frequency, attempting 1.6 3-pointers per game compared to 0.3 3s per game in his first three seasons. He made 6 of those 8 attempted 3s last season after making 6 of 34 in 2024-25, 4 of 19 in 2023-24 and 1 of 3 in 2022-23.
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