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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the first half of the Emirates NBA Cup game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 31, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Suns defeated the Jazz 118-96.
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(Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency.
Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.
The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPNs Shams Charania.
Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.
This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush.
The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild.
Lets grade this deal for both sides.
Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when hes healthy.
He just hasnt been healthy very often.
Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Hes only met the NBAs 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie.
Utahs tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but hell need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.
Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots.
He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number.
He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games.
Hes a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the games top defensive bigs.
Kesslers offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass.
Hes a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury.
Hes a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBAs worst from the foul line.
He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and thats about it.
He hasnt added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.
This is the Lakers big swing to build a championship team around Luka.
Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one.
Usually a trade like this returns a superstar.
Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesnt have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.
Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kesslers is the most jarring yet.
The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides.
The amount of draft capital given up to get him is whats so surprising.
The Lakers way overpaid in my view.
It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but its hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they dont have many assets left to keep building the team.
Grade : D Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade Talk about a sell-high trade.
Its amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season.
Hes not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.
Utah is set up so well for the future now.
They have No.
2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey.
I honestly dont think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth.
They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.
This is an amazing move for the Jazz.
They robbed the Lakers blind.
If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come.
Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.
Grade : A+.