The Los Angeles Lakers will be the top name in trade rumors until the trade deadline comes in February 2025, with the franchise evidently needing reinforcements to have any hopes of competing for a championship this season. They’ve started the season 12-8 but need more to actually push the top teams in the West to the brink.
Everyone has their own ideas for trades the Lakers can make, with ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins sharing his idea on social media. Perkins wants the Lakers to make a move for Utah Jazz duo Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler.
“Sexton and Kessler are the pieces that the Lakers need. I wonder if Pelinka see it.”
Perkins posted this on X during the Lakers narrow 105-104 win over the Jazz, with Sexton and Kessler on the court for the game. Sexton ended the night with 15 points and four assists while Kessler ended it with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. It was a pair of solid performances and allowed the Lakers to evaluate the Jazz players up close before making any potential trade with the tanking franchise.
Sexton is averaging 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season, showing his capability as a scoring guard within the Jazz’s offensive system. His usage is restricted by the presence of other young players requiring touches, but he is a solid starting guard for a contending franchise. He will have offensive peaks, but will also suffer from occasional inconsistencies in production.
Kessler is averaging 10.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks this season. The Lakers have already been linked to Kessler in individual reports, as the Jazz have reportedly been listening to offers for the center over the last few months. While the Jazz might not see a future with him on the franchise, they won’t give the 22-year-old rim-protecting menace away for free.
Both these players will likely cost the Lakers a fair amount in picks, as their contracts won’t be hard to match. Sexton is making $18.3 million this season while Kessler is still on his rookie contract and making $2.9 million this year. D’Angelo Russell ($18.6 million) combined with a young player like Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.8 million) could get the job done, but the Lakers will have to add a fair amount of draft compensation.
Two positive production players who are still young can’t be acquired for less than the cost of a first-round pick, if not more. While this deal lands the Lakers two potential starters, it will tie their hands up in terms of future assets, so they likely will be weighing the value of doing that.
Realistically, the Lakers need to do whatever they can to push for another title while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still producing at the level we’re seeing. Sexton addresses on-ball creation and scoring as a combo guard while Kessler gets JJ Redick the big man he has openly been searching for since he took over the job of head coach.
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