The Lakers are desperate for a center after trading Anthony Davis, and they’ve got their eyes on a rising star from Utah.
Los Angeles has a big problem in the middle. When they shipped Davis out to land Luka Doncic last season, they created a massive hole at center that they never properly filled.
They almost had Charlotte’s Mark Williams, but that deal fell apart after a failed physical.
Now the Lakers are hunting for someone who can anchor their defense while playing alongside superstars Doncic and LeBron James.
Utah’s Walker Kessler has emerged as their top target.
Jazz insider Andy Larsen reports the Lakers have shown “significant interest” in the 23-year-old big man and might be willing to part with “multiple picks” to get him.
“Giving up multiple picks to get there, that is on the table right now. I don’t know if the Jazz take it. Certainly, they haven’t so far,” Larsen noted.
The center position was a disaster for the Lakers after Davis left. They tried Jaxson Hayes as a starter, but he struggled so badly that the team benched him during the playoffs.
Kessler, the 22nd pick in the 2022 draft, has steadily improved during his three seasons in Utah. Originally selected by Memphis, he was traded to the Jazz on draft night.
Last season was his best yet. He started all 58 games he played, averaging 11.1 points and a impressive 12.2 rebounds per game. His playing time jumped to a career-high 30 minutes per game.
What makes Kessler so appealing to the Lakers is his skill set. He’s exactly the type of center they need – someone who can protect the rim, grab rebounds, and finish strong above the rim.
With elite passers like Doncic and James, Kessler could thrive in pick-and-roll situations, getting easy buckets off their assists.
The Jazz have received offers for Kessler before but haven’t been willing to part with the young center yet.
With the 2025 NBA draft happening Wednesday, the Lakers might make their move soon. If they can’t land Kessler, they’ll quickly pivot to other center options.
But right now, all signs point to the Lakers making a strong push for the Utah big man as they try to build a championship contender around their superstar duo.
