NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers interested in Walker Kessler

According to Anthony Irwin, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.

From Irwin’s article:

As for the names the Lakers could be looking for when Pelinka finally fills the gaps on this roster, league sources continue to point to Washington’s Kyle Kuzma, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, Utah’s Walker Kessler and Bruce Brown from…Toronto and others. One name to keep an eye on, according to league sources, is Zach LaVine, who played well after undergoing foot surgery in the preseason.

This is something to keep an eye on as we’ve already seen rumors that other teams, like the New York Knicks, are targeting Walker Kessler. And what we learned from the Knicks negotiations is that Utah asked for two first-round picks for Kessler.

Looking at the Lakers’ future picks, they could potentially give Utah a first-round pick in 2029 and 2031 if they wanted. That comes across as pretty high for Walker Kessler, but could the Lakers remove the protections on the 2027 pick they owe Utah and perhaps give them the 2029 pick? This could do it, and Utah could be ready for it.

As we’ve said before, this will likely be a storyline to keep an eye on this year as teams consider Kessler as an option. But what we know about Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz front office is that they will set a price and do nothing unless someone meets that price.