The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the 2024-25 season searching for the perfect addition at center. That journey has taken them to every corner of the NBA, with proven veterans, promising up-and-comers, and intriguing late-bloomers all surfacing on their radar.
One of the most polarizing names to appear in trade rumors has been Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler—a player whose upside is matched only by his asking price.
Kessler, 23, has become one of the most sought-after trade targets on the open market. Unfortunately for teams interested in acquiring the former Auburn Tigers star, the Jazz have set a price tag of at least two first-round draft picks.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the feeling around the NBA is that the high asking price is an indicator of the Jazz's intention to keep Kessler.
"While teams have expressed interest in Utah center Walker Kessler — the Lakers included — the belief in NBA circles is that he’s not available in any realistic trade scenarios, Utah electing to keep one of the NBA’s top rim protectors through the deadline."
Adding Kessler could've been beneficial, but based on the standards that the Jazz are setting for potential negotations, the Lakers can view this report as a blessing in disguise.
Utah Jazz unlikely to trade Walker Kessler
In no way should the Lakers celebrate missing out on a talent like Kessler. If he were to realize his full potential in Los Angeles, he'd form arguably the most dominant interior duo in the NBA with Anthony Davis, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
Davis has established himself as an elite shot-blocker who can cover almost the entire court on defense, while Kessler is showing early signs of becoming an elite rim protector himself.
Thus far in 2024-25, Kessler is averaging 10.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, 1.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. It's been a clear display of his interior dominance on the defensive end of the floor, as well as his ability to create second chances at an elite level.
It's unclear how his offensive game will develop, however, and the Lakers can't afford to part with two more future first-round draft picks to find the answer.
Los Angeles will already be without first-round draft picks in 2025 and 2027. This comes after they gave up picks in the opening round of the NBA Draft in 2019, 2020, and 2021. To make matters worse, 2023 selection Jalen Hood-Schifino is already expected to depart the franchise within the next six months.
In line to have either traded or wasted six first-round draft picks since 2019, with another on the way out in 2027, too much precious time has already been wasted.
Los Angeles has been forced to resort to minimum contracts to create depth due in large part to the absence of rookie-scale players on the roster. Kessler may represent a talent with long-term value, but acquiring him would mean giving up first-round picks in 2029 and 2031—thus continuing a damaging trend.
Kessler is an undeniably compelling trade target, but there's no way around how much the Lakers would've had to give up or how little flexibility they have in said negotiations. On that level, Utah may have saved Los Angeles from a detrimental decision.