The Utah Jazz are setting a steep price for Walker Kessler. According to Lakers Daily, Utah would reportedly require Austin Reaves and two first-round picks in any deal centered on the young center, a package that makes clear just how highly they value his potential as a rim protector and lob threat next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
“The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler, wrote Lakers Daily. “One source said that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector.”
The Lakers desperately needed a center last season after trading Anthony Davis. While they initially settled for Mark Williams, they had a change of heart at the last minute, which left a vacancy in the frontcourt. It wasn’t until this offseason that they finally addressed the issue by signing Deandre Ayton, but there may be another way to shore up the center position.
At 24, Walker Kessler is another ideal target for the Lakers. At 7’0″ with averages of 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last season, Kessler shows great promise as a two-way big man who can lock down the paint and provide a steady defensive presence. Alongside Luka Doncic, he’d get free lobs in the paint and easy buckets under the rim.
The problem for the Lakers is that Jazz executive Danny Ainge has set the price impossibly high for Kessler. As it stands, he’s seeking a package that includes Austin Reaves and multiple picks, which is about what the Lakers would give up in a trade for a top NBA star.
While Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has hinted at a willingness to make trades this season, he’s not about to give up his third-best player and their last remaining picks just to add a young and unproven center. That’s especially true now that they have Deandre Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who is prepping for a breakout season.
With tradeable assets and a star player to build around, we can expect the Lakers to make a move before February’s deadline, but it’s only going to be for the right price. In the case of Kessler, no matter how good his fit with Luka may be, giving up Reaves and draft picks is just not something they are willing to do right now.
With averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, Austin is the future of the Lakers, and his partnership with Luka will carry the franchise into its next era. It will take more than just Kessler for the Lakers to trade Reaves, and until the Jazz lower their demands, they won’t begin any negotiations.
For now, it looks like Walker Kessler is staying put in Utah. Unless Danny Ainge lowers his asking price, the Lakers won’t part ways with Austin Reaves and their limited draft capital. With Deandre Ayton already locked in, L.A. is confident enough in their frontcourt to avoid a desperate move, and they’ll only strike if the right opportunity comes along.
