Lakers Remain Interested in Walker Kessler Amid Trade Rumors

Lakers Show Interest in Walker Kessler

The Lakers could hardly have asked for a better start to the season. While they haven’t been flawless along the way, the purple and gold are 3-0 and the vibes are terrific. That being said, while trade rumors may no longer be top of the mind now that the team is actually winning games, they certainly still exist. And the Lakers do still have tradeable contracts.

Even if the team is good this season and not fighting for a play-in spot, a trade taking them from good to great instead of one taking them from mediocre to good is still a very appealing one. And one of the names that could be at the top of that list is Walker Kessler. It isn’t new that the Lakers are linked to Kessler. There have been rumors linking the two, though nothing too concrete.

Kessler’s Potential Impact on the Lakers

However, if the team is looking to make the jump to a legitimate contender, a player like Kessler could be the catalyst for that. On a recent live stream on his YouTube channel, Jovan Buha of The Athletic noted that Kessler remains on the Lakers’ list.

• Kessler is a defensive-first big man who could play alongside Anthony Davis.
• His presence would allow the team to play more two-big lineups.
• He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and averaged 2.3 blocks per game.
• On a rookie contract, he is affordable, at $2.9 million this year.

Jazz’s Stance on Kessler

While Jaxson Hayes has impressed, Kessler is a notable step up in talent. Now, the Jazz are very aware of all of this, too. All of the things that make Kessler attractive to the Lakers make him attractive to every team in the NBA. Over the offseason, the price was high for teams inquiring about Kessler.

According to longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein, the asking price for Kessler was two first-round picks. The Lakers have the ability to make that type of trade, but it would likely be the last big move the team could make in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era.

Is it a big enough move to put nearly all their remaining chips on the table? That could be the debate that will go on for the next handful of months.