The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they are expected to be busy making moves this offseason. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha spoke on some of the rumored targets and more in a Q&A recently.
On Walker Kessler
The Lakers have been linked with Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler over the last couple of years. The Jazz had been reluctant to part with Kessler, but it was reported that he could be available this offseason. Buha doesn’t believe a move to the Lakers is likely, though.
“The issue with Walker Kessler and with Utah, in general, is their asking prices tend to be higher,” Buha said. “To trade a Lauri [Markkanen] or to trade a Walker, it is going to be a high price.
“Going back to last season, I reported that the Lakers had had interest in Walker previously,” Buha continued. “They had enquired about him to the Jazz, and the feedback they got was the starting price, not the final price, but the starting price was the equivalent of two+ first-round picks.”
Buha does not believe the Lakers have the assets to acquire Kessler, who averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game in 2024-25.
On Lakers’ Level Of Activity This Offseason And Luka Doncic
This isn’t the first offseason where it has seemed like the Lakers have to make some moves in order to elevate their standing in the West. They have stood pat despite being in that position in the past, but Buha doesn’t expect that to be the case this time around because of Luka Doncic.
“I am optimistic that the Lakers do something this summer,” Buha said. “… The biggest decisions for the Lakers this upcoming offseason is the Luka factor and the fact that Luka his extension date is a month into free agency.
“If you’re the Lakers, there should be some level of urgency, some level of pressure to find that center of the future or to at least upgrade the roster enough to appease Luka,” Buha continued. “And to show him similar to your intention with the Mark Williams trade.”
Buha expects Doncic to sign an extension with the Lakers this offseason, but adds that it doesn’t mean the team can just sit back and relax. He thinks the front office will be aggressive and the Slovenian will sign the extension in early August.
On the topic of the Lakers needing a big, another Lakers insider, Khobi Price, listed out five realistic center targets for the team. It will be interesting to see if they get any of them.
On Chris Paul
The Lakers famously failed to acquire Chris Paul in 2011, but they could finally get him in 2025. Paul recently hinted at a desire to play in Los Angeles so that he could be with his family, and Buha reckons he could sign with the Lakers.
“The breadcrumbs are suggesting that he is likely going to try to come back to LA, either play for the Lakers or the Clippers,” Buha said. “He’s been on the Lakers’ radar for the last two years, and we know about the banana boat and his relationship with LeBron [James].”
Paul averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the San Antonio Spurs in 2024-25. He could be a solid backup option to have for the Lakers.
On Lonzo Ball
Another guard the Lakers have been linked with is Lonzo Ball. The Lakers, of course, drafted Ball with the second pick of the 2017 NBA Draft and then traded him as part of the package for Anthony Davis in 2019. There have been murmurs of a reunion since the guard finally returned from injury this season, and Buha thinks it could happen.
“I think they would be,” Buha said. “It’s just a matter of what his price is, and you have to factor in the health and the history there of just you can’t even pencil him in for 60 games.”
Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns with injury. He has managed to play over 60 games in a single season just once in his career, and there is a risk involved here.
Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Chicago Bulls in 2024-25. He has shown flashes of his former self, and time will tell if the Lakers think he’s worth the risk.
These players would help the Lakers in varying degrees. If they want to go all-out, though, we put together a mock trade that would see them acquire Kevin Durant and solve their big man issues. It would be a very bold move, but it could turn the Lakers into a force.
