The Los Angeles Lakers have spent more than a year being involved in trade rumors revolving around the center position. Anthony Davis put in the request for help at the 5 in September of 2023 and recently reiterated his hope that the team will find an upgrade at the position in 2024-25.
It only took one regular season game for one of the offseason favorites to fulfill that request to further establish himself as a dream acquisition.
The Utah Jazz began the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday, October 23 with a 126-124 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a disappointing result for the team, but many around the NBA have identified a reason for external intrigue.
Walker Kessler started at center and produced a legitimately dominant performance along the interior, thus further cementing his status as a rising star at center.
The 23-year-old played 30 minutes against Memphis, producing 16 points, 14 rebounds, six offensive boards, one assist, five blocks, and a steal. He shot 6-of-7 from the field and knocked down four of his five free throw attempts.
Despite the disappointing team result, Kessler was dominant in multiple phases of the game—and reaffirmed his status as an ideal Lakers trade target.
The hurdle in a trade for Kessler is that Utah is asking for a minimum of two first-round draft picks in any potential negotiations. It’s understandable for Danny Ainge to be less than generous, as Kessler is young, productive on both ends of the floor, and playing on a rookie-scale deal.
Kessler will make just $7,844,858 over the next two seasons before entering restricted free agency in 2026—making him one of the best bargain values in the NBA.
Furthermore, at just 23 years of age, Kessler has already emerged as one of the most dominant shot-blockers and offensive rebounders in the Association. In 2023-24, he ranked No. 2 in the NBA at 2.4 blocks in just 23.3 minutes per game.
Kessler also pulled down 2.6 offensive rebounds per game and 4.0 per 36 minutes, which may be the biggest reason of all for Los Angeles to consider trading for him.
While Kessler was blocking shots and crashing the offensive glass, no Laker other than Anthony Davis could claim to be doing the same. Davis ranked No. 1 in the NBA in second-chance points and in the top 10 among qualified players in offensive rebounding in 2023-24, but Los Angeles finished dead last as a team in both categories.
Davis was also No. 3 in the NBA at 2.4 blocks per game, but Los Angeles was No. 21 in points allowed in the paint.
By adding Kessler, the Lakers would create a two-headed monster that could dominate the interior on both ends of the floor. Not only would they be addressing a flaw, but they’d be creating a strength that few teams could compete with.
It’s understandable to be weary of the asking price, but the Lakers have every reason to be intrigued after Kessler’s dominant showing in Utah’s season opener.
