Lakers Address Center Position with Strategic Acquisition
The Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly add a starting center this offseason. Since they have limited financial resources in free agency, this move will almost certainly come via the trade market.
Fortunately for the Lakers, there are a few quality options expected to be on the trade block this summer. One of those is the Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.
Kessler is entering the final season of his rookie deal and will require a long-term contract extension. The Utah Jazz are still years away from being playoff contenders and would be wise to move on from him to continue adding assets for their rebuild. This presents an excellent opportunity for the Lakers to add the 23-year-old center in the offseason.
A potential trade for Kessler would require the Lakers to part ways with their 2031 first-round pick. Dalton Knecht would be needed to match the salaries, and an additional first-round pick swap could act as a sweetener for Utah to part ways with a good young center with upside.
Kessler checks a few boxes for the Lakers. He could be the defensive anchor to clean up the shortcomings of the Lakers on the perimeter. Since the Lakers have Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in the backcourt, having someone like Kessler to protect the paint behind them is crucial. He is an excellent rim protector and rebounder who has the size and length to battle with the best centers in the league.
The offensive game is a work in progress for Kessler. He finds ways to be effective thanks to his offensive rebounding and finishing around the rim, but he is not the ideal pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic at this stage of his career. As things stand now, however, the Lakers need to add size and defense, and Kessler does both. If he can add to his offense, that would be the icing on the cake that can help catapult the Lakers into contender status.
This is the same trade package the Lakers sent for Mark Williams at the trade deadline before rescinding the move. It’s not difficult to imagine that this offer will be on the table for various other centers this summer. Whether it will be enough to poach Kessler from the Jazz remains to be seen.
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