Walker Kessler has been a name linked to the Los Angeles Lakers long before Luka Doncic was even on the team. Post-Doncic, Kessler remains exactly the type of two-center that would compliment Doncic to perfection. The dream fit of adding the young big man may not truly materialize for the Lakers this offseason if things play out the way one Utah Jazz expert believes they will.
Kessler is set to hit restricted free agency after he and the Jazz failed to reach a rookie-scale extension before last year's deadline. However, that does not mean Utah will just let him walk away from the franchise with nothing to show for his four years there.
Site Expert Matt John of The J Notes thought there would be two specific conditions under which the franchise would be willing to part ways with Kessler. The first of those mentioned would have to involve a sign-and-trade. John did not believe that was a likely path.
Maybe it would gain some steam, though, if the second condition of parting ways with Kessler was met. In relation to that, John stated the Jazz would need to be trading their starting big man for an upgrade. That is where the concern comes in for a potential deal with the Lakers.
Walker Kessler has a murky path to Los Angeles — at best
Some may be wondering about why Rob Pelinka and the Lakers would not just try to price out the Jazz with an offer sheet for Kessler? There are a few issues with that approach.
For one, that offer sheet would hold up any other plans the Lakers may have in free agency. Additionally, the Jazz do not have an extensive payroll for the upcoming season. They could simply match and choose to move Kessler in the future if they really do not want to commit to his money long-term, and prefer to just use him as an asset.
The latter part would fall in line with the thinking of John. The Jazz could simply retain Kessler in the short-term on a price they do not love, but pivot off him for an upgrade in the future.
"Utah is trying to win next season, no question about it. That's why it's in their best interest for them to keep Kessler because he is one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in the league," John wrote. "However, if an upgrade was on the table, then they would make an exception for Kessler."
What upgrade would the Lakers really have to offer? Austin Reaves in a double sign-and-trade would be unlikey. Beyond that, the Lakers do not have many options that would satisfy what the Jazz could be looking for.
The Lakers may have to turn to more gettable options to replace Deandre Ayton as the starting big man in Los Angeles. Kessler will always have the imaginations of Lakers fans, but that may unfortunately be where that scenario stays.
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