The Lakers just made their post-LeBron direction loud and clear: they are building younger, bigger and tougher around Luka Dončić.
Los Angeles is acquiring Jazz center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade, sending Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler is expected to sign a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers, including a fourth-year player option.
This is a massive swing for L.A. Kessler gives the Lakers exactly what they have needed: a true defensive anchor, elite rim protection and a real lob threat next to Dončić. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25 while shooting 68.1% from the field.
For the Jazz, this is about asset collection. Utah offered Kessler a five-year deal worth roughly $140 million earlier this offseason, but the two sides never closed the gap. Instead of risking a messy restricted free agency situation, the Jazz turned him into two unprotected firsts and two swaps.
For the Lakers, though, this is risky. Giving up unprotected picks that far out is dangerous, especially for a franchise entering a new era after LeBron James’ departure. But L.A. clearly believes Kessler is the kind of young center who can grow with Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The move also signals that the Lakers are not rebuilding. They are retooling fast. After landing Kessler, they also added Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili as part of a busy roster reset.
The Lakers needed size. They needed defense. They needed a center who could clean up mistakes and finish easy looks. Kessler checks all of those boxes.
Now the question is whether he is worth the massive price.
