With the Lakers still in dire need of an upgrade at center, reports suggest they’ve officially made a trade offer for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.
Rumors linking Kessler to the Lakers have circulated for a while now. Buzz around the potential move peaked at the trade deadline, but once L.A. swung a deal for Luka Dončić, Kessler seemed to fall off their radar.
Now that the offseason is underway and the Lakers’ need at the five remains unresolved, their reported interest in Kessler has resurfaced. According to a recent episode of “Locked on Jazz,” Utah beat writer Andy Larsen shared that the Lakers have put an offer on the table.
“I think there’s been an offer presented for Walker Kessler. And, certainly the Lakers have shown significant interest all the way back to the deadline, certainly continuing now. And him being their future of the center, giving up multiple picks to get there, that is on the table right now. I don’t know if the Jazz take it. Certainly, they haven’t so far.”
Despite a potential offer being made, there’s no reason for Lakers fans to start picturing Kessler in purple and gold just yet. Larsen later clarified on social media that no significant progress has been made in the negotiations.
Still, the fact that L.A. has made an offer shows just how serious they are about acquiring Kessler. It also reinforces President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka’s vow to “leave no stone unturned” in his mission to upgrade the Lakers’ frontcourt.
While no deal is imminent, the ongoing discussions are an encouraging sign that something could eventually materialize.
Kessler remains an appealing target for L.A. thanks to his youth, potential, and current production. He’s already made a name for himself as an elite rim protector and shot-blocker, finishing second in the NBA in blocks this season with 2.4 per game—only trailing Victor Wembanyama.
His growth has been evident year after year in Utah. In the latest season, Kessler averaged a double-double: 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds over 58 games.
Another factor working in the Lakers’ favor is his rookie-scale contract—he’s set to earn $4.8 million this coming season, making salary-matching relatively straightforward. That said, with the Jazz focused on rebuilding, they’re likely to demand significant draft capital in return for a promising young big man.
Whether talks gain momentum remains to be seen, but the Lakers’ pursuit is certainly worth watching.
