The Los Angeles Lakers gave up two first-round draft picks and two first-round swaps to sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler, and the deal instantly looked worse when the 76ers swooped in and stole Jaylen Brown from the Celtics. Philly only gave up two firsts and two second-rounders for a five-time All-Star who just finished sixth in MVP voting. Lakers fans knew LA overpaid for Kessler, but it looks so much worse after the Brown deal.
The 7’2 big man averages 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game for his career. He has never sniffed an All-Star appearance or even an All-Defensive team. Luka Doncic wanted a starting center to protect the rim and catch lobs. That was no secret, and only raised the Jazz’s asking price. Rob Pelinka paid significantly more for Kessler than the Sixers did for Brown.
The Lakers couldn’t trade for Brown after giving Austin Reaves a max contract. The 2024 Finals MVP is set to make $57 million next season and is under contract through 2029. This was a classic case of Los Angeles not reading the room. They got locked in on getting a center and paid a superstar price for a quality starter.
Lakers massively overpaid for Walker Kessler after Jaylen Brown trade
The Lakers are banking on Luka turning Kessler into an All-Star. Along with the draft capital, the big man signed a four-year contract worth $130 million. He is now the seventh-highest-paid center in the NBA and unquestionably the number three in Los Angeles.
The Sixers stole Brown. They only gave up Paul George and the draft capital. PG’s contract was viewed as untradeable because of his injury history. Yes, there was a slight resurgence last season, but as a 3-and-D wing, not a superstar. Boston only got one unprotected first-round pick, one first with contingencies, and two seconds.
The Celtics felt like they had to trade Brown after it was leaked he was in the Giannis trade talks. The five-time All-Star was rumored to be searching to become the alpha, but he joins Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid looms, but his injury history makes it difficult to know what to expect.
The Lakers are already ruining the Luka Doncic era. They let LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard walk out the door with zero return. Los Angeles then overpays for Kessler and signs three role players to significant money for multiple years. This is looking disastrous, especially when players like Jaylen Brown are being sold for significantly less.
The Lakers just handed Austin Reaves a max contract. He is a worse player than Brown and will soon be making massive dollars. This deal should concern LA if they ever decide it is time to move on from AR.
The Los Angeles Lakers trade for Walker Kessler instantly looked worse as the Philadelphia 76ers stole Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. Fans have seen a ton of trade activity in recent weeks, and it is clear that the purple and gold spent too much for a starting center. Finding a way to contend after that won’t be easy, and the pressure remains on to build around Luka.
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