The Los Angeles Lakers have been a rumored suitor for Utah Jazz’s 23-year-old center Walker Kessler from the start of the season. Kessler is a defensive juggernaut who might not fit the Jazz’s longtime goal to have a more offensively dynamic center. If Kessler is on the market, the Lakers want to ensure they come out on top in pursuit of him, although the Jazz aren’t making it easy.
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the Jazz have set a high asking price for Kessler, one the Lakers might not be able to match.
“That team that they had in 2019-20, how do you get back to that model? That includes finding a center. The Lakers have been active in the trade market looking for a center. Every time they call for Walker Kessler in Utah, that asking price is too high. That front office is trying to make calls and do due diligence, but ultimately, it takes two teams to tango and they just haven’t been able to find a deal.”
The Jazz will not let go of Kessler easily, averaging 11.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks this season. He might not be integral to the future in Utah, but he presents incredible value to some teams in need of a defensive center like him. His $2.9 million contract is also a huge advantage alongside his age, which is why the Jazz are trying to get a big return back for him.
More than anything, I don’t think Jazz CEO Danny Ainge will agree on a deal for Kessler to the Lakers without ensuring the franchise is hurt to some degree. They could be agitating over the inclusion of their 2031 first-round pick, the removal of protection on the 2027 pick they’ve already sent, or even the inclusion of standout rookie Dalton Knecht.
If the Lakers were hoping to offer up their under-performing players in a deal for Kessler, the Jazz likely won’t accept it. It’s not realistic to say they can send Jalen Hood-Schifino and a first-round pick to land Kessler. Jazz might just be trying to get multiple picks or a valuable young player like Knecht.
The Lakers could justify a deal if they can also land Collin Sexton in a Kessler deal, but the Jazz might be even more unwilling to send two young players to help the Lakers get better for years to come. The Jazz own the Lakers’ 2027 pick, so they’re incentivized to ensure the team has a dull future outlook to ensure they can get value for that pick.
With Anthony Davis publicly bemoaning the lack of a center on the roster, the Jazz will be even more motivated to stick to a high price given the Lakers’ clear desperation to add a center.
Their new coach JJ Redick made that desire clear when he joined the team, but the front office has not acted on this request from both the coach and franchise star.
Even if not Kessler, the Lakers can analyze the market for potential deals including Nikola Vucevic, Robert Williams III, and others who might be easier to attain than Kessler.
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