The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with a clear priority regarding the kind of players they wanted to target. While elite perimeter threats were among the key additions, the Lakers were in dire need of an elite big man. Now, it appears that they have got their man.
In a blockbuster deal, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers,” Charania reported.
Walker Kessler has long been viewed as one of the top targets for the Purple and Gold since last year’s offseason. Although no trade materialized at the time, it would appear that LeBron James’ decision to part with the Lakers has provided the flexibility to pull the trigger on some huge moves now.
As Charania reported, Kessler is expected to sign a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers, suggesting he would have an annual cap hit of approximately $32.5 million per year. Although this is a major addition, Kessler’s arrival still sees the team roughly $2.5 million below the cap. Given how beneficial this is, the Lakers could proceed with making more moves.
Walker Kessler Is Exactly What The Lakers Needed
The Los Angeles Lakers were entering the offseason with an extremely thin roster. Having lost out on almost all of their key rotation players from last season in free agency, the Purple and Gold were in dire need of an upgrade.
In this regard, Walker Kessler’s addition could be viewed as a timely move for Los Angeles.
For all intents and purposes, Kessler fits the template of a big man that the Lakers were looking for. While being an elite rebounder and shot-blocker, the 24-year-old also serves as a reliable pick-and-roll partner and lob threat alongside Luka Doncic.
Last season, Kessler appeared in only five games due to a season-ending injury. Despite this, during the brief period he was available, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 70.3% from the floor.
With Walker Kessler’s arrival, the Lakers have officially acquired a reliable big man. Now that the first domino has fallen, it will be intriguing to see how the Purple and Gold proceed with their roster-building efforts.
