The Los Angeles Lakers will have to decide between paying a premium on high-quality win-now assets right now or standing pat for yet another early Playoff exit in the LeBron James and Anthony Davis era. Both James and Davis have made it known that they’d like to see improvements to the squad, with Davis specifically asking for a center. If Rob Pelinka doesn’t continue to be exceedingly stingy at putting winning players around this duo, they could make a massive mid-season trade.
The Utah Jazz are known to be in the market looking for deals to offload high-quality players but only if they get a high-quality return. The Lakers don’t want to match the price the Jazz are setting on some of their targets, with the hope that they come off the price. Instead, the Lakers should go all-in on what the Jazz want while maximizing their return, even if it means saying goodbye to Dalton Knecht.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Collin Sexton ($18.0 million), Walker Kessler ($2.9 million)
Utah Jazz Receive: Dalton Knecht ($3.8 million), Rui Hachimura (17.0 million), Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.8 million), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)
This deal not only sets the Lakers up to contend now but also keeps them in a strong position for the future with Kessler being 23 years old while Sexton is 26 years old. These are young and capable stars who can not only enhance them right now but grow as players, ensuring the Lakers are competitive through the end of LeBron’s career and beyond.
The Lakers Land Exactly What They Need
The addition of Dorian Finney-Smith in December 2024 has made Rui Hachimura a little redundant. The team is looking great with Finney-Smith’s defensive impact ever since he moved to the starting lineup, with the team looking just as competent without Hachimura as they did with him. This means the Lakers need just a guard and a center acquisition to make them really scary, with both coming in this deal.
Collin Sexton is averaging 18.4 points and 4.1 assists this season. The combo guard is on an affordable short-term contract, won’t have a massive market right now, and fits what the Lakers need in terms of on-ball offense and creation.
Walker Kessler is averaging 11.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks this season. The Lakers have been pursuing him heavily but the Jazz’s high price for him has deterred them from acquiring him just yet.
Instead of paying through their nose for Kessler alone, they can get equitable value in the deal if Sexton is also involved. Given the value of these future picks, this should be an acceptable cost for the Jazz. The Lakers might feel uncomfortable, but these additions at least give the Lakers a chance at a bright future after LeBron.
The Jazz Land A Major Haul
The Jazz are looking to add new pieces for their rebuild through the 2025 NBA Draft and developing other young talents. They’re bottom of the West right now and hope to stay there until it’s time for the Draft lottery in June. Moving off Kessler and Sexton right now would virtually guarantee their position at the bottom of the league while also gaining them some of the best future draft assets in the NBA.
The Lakers 2029 and 2031 picks will be held in higher regard around the NBA due to their future uncertainty even making their own GM not want to trade them away. Getting those will be a great return for the Jazz, especially if those picks are coming with rookie Dalton Knecht. He’s averaging 9.1 points and 3.1 rebounds this season while being highly coveted by the Lakers. Landing him will be a major coup.
Rui Hachimura is averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 rebounds this season, playing big minutes for the team but has seen his role in the rotation decrease as the season’s progressed. Jalen Hood-Schifino hasn’t played much yet but is a high-potential combo guard provided the Jazz can give him the developmental minutes he needs.
Hachimura likely gets moved for more assets in the future, but the Jazz will love having a shooter like Knecht on their roster until 2028 on a rookie contract.
A Deal To Get 2 Teams What They Want
The Lakers have wanted Kessler badly while their need for a guard can be spotted by anyone who knows how to read a team shoot. Instead of deeming this a high price, they should look at the value they’ll get. These are two bonafide productive players who are young enough to grow and be in their prime, while it will also lead to Davis and LeBron being motivated to succeed now that they got the help they wanted.
The Jazz want the Lakers to feel pain in any trade deal they make. Getting Knecht and both their first-round picks qualifies as just that. No matter what the Lakers achieve, the Jazz will be satisfied with what they have as it’s far-fetched to imagine the current Lakers’ core being around until these picks will convey.
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