The Los Angeles Lakers‘ biggest priority heading into the offseason has been the addition of a big man. After facing severe issues in their frontcourt depth last season, the Purple and Gold made it a point to make their intentions known with regards to shopping for a center to pair with their superstar, Luka Doncic.
The search for a legitimate center has led the team to be linked to several players. From free agents like Day’Ron Sharpe to likely trade targets such as Nic Claxton, the Lakers could see an immediate increase in roster strength with any of these players.
However, the Lakers might have the opportunity to land their ideal big man target. With reports suggesting that the Utah Jazz are inclined to offer their center, Walker Kessler, in trade negotiations, the Purple and Gold could potentially look to make a run at acquiring him.
Deseret News’ Sarah Todd indicated that the Jazz would be willing to listen to all offers for their 2025 draft picks, as well as for active players on the roster, becoming very active over the next few weeks.
Many players, such as Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson, have been viewed as the most likely trade candidates, considering that they are on expiring contracts. However, Kessler and even Lauri Markkanen are expected to be available in discussions.
With this in mind, we take a look at a potential trade package to help the Lakers land the Jazz big man.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, 2031 first-round pick
A trade of this nature could be massive for the Lakers. Kessler has shown tremendous upside, and at only 23 years old, he fits the timeline for being the ideal running mate for Luka Doncic in the future.
Kessler recorded an average of 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game last season while shooting an average of 66.3% from the field. While he isn’t the most dominant offensive force in the league, the Jazz big man is a legitimate rim protector, having averaged 2.4 blocks per game in the last season.
As a genuine seven-footer, he also features a strong and sturdy frame, allowing him to impose his presence on the low block. His athleticism at his size is also fairly impressive, mobile enough to get up and down the floor in transition while still being an effective lob threat.
Doncic has been known to treat big men who run the floor well. Paired with the Lakers’ star, the 23-year-old could see a significant rise in his scoring averages.
Should the Lakers acquire the Jazz big man in the offseason, it could be massive for their roster integrity. Utah has a team option on him for the season. Should they choose to decline it and engage in a sign-and-trade, the Jazz may also be able to get more value out of him rather than letting him walk out as a free agent.
In this trade, Utah would acquire Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, along with the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick. Hachimura is a solid addition. Having averaged 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds, he provides efficient scoring, perimeter shooting, and defensive presence.
The additional benefit is that Hachimura is an expiring contract next season. His cap hit of $18.2 million would free up some space to allow the Jazz to look at acquiring more talent next season.
Dalton Knecht’s arrival would be a welcome sight in Utah. The young sharpshooter has garnered a lot of interest for his offensive capabilities. After a moderately decent rookie season, averaging 9.1 points on 46.1% shooting from the field and 37.6% from three-point territory, Knecht has shown a lot of scope for improvement as well.
Investing in the guard’s growth could be beneficial for the Jazz. Considering that their rebuild is likely to be centered around Keyonte George, Knecht would be a reliable option off the bench or even in a starting spot, given how the roster is constructed.
Meanwhile, the addition of the 2031 first-rounder only adds to Utah’s overall wealth of draft capital. While they haven’t leveraged these to make any major moves yet, the Jazz could be targeting something big in due time.
The Lakers Have Links To Lauri Markkanen
While the rumors around Walker Kessler may be gathering steam, the Purple and Gold have also been linked in some trade rumors with Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
With Markkanen missing many games over the last two seasons, the Jazz may consider shipping him out while he still has significant value. At $195 million, his contract also takes a massive hit on their salary cap; offloading it would be to their benefit as well.
One of our trade proposals saw the Lakers acquire the Jazz star in return for Hachimura, Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and the 2031 first-rounder. While this trade would effectively be voided in the case of the Lakers acquiring Kessler as well, the organization can always revisit the option by adding more players to the mix.
