The Los Angeles Lakers are grappling with depth issues in their frontcourt, particularly behind Anthony Davis, who continues to deal with plantar fasciitis.
Injuries to key players like Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jaxson Hayes have left the team relying on two-way center Christian Koloko, whose performance has been serviceable but not game-changing.
To address this, the Lakers are reportedly exploring the trade market for a starting-level center. One prominent target is Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler, a 7-footer with standout defensive capabilities.
This season, Kessler has averaged 11.1 points on 72.8% shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 1.4 assists per game, making him one of only two players (alongside Victor Wembanyama) to average a double-double and at least two blocks per game.
However, acquiring Kessler would not come cheap. The Jazz are reportedly demanding multiple first-round picks or a combination of a top prospect and draft capital.
Given Kessler’s upside as a defender and his team-friendly rookie-scale contract, Utah is in a strong negotiating position. For the Lakers, this price might be steep, especially given their already limited draft assets.
The Lakers may decide to wait for the trade market to evolve and assess other potential options. However, Kessler’s defensive impact and youth (23 years old) make him a compelling target if the team is serious about addressing their big-man problem for both the short and long term.
