Lakers trading for Jazz center Walker Kessler, sources say - ESPN

The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Kessler, one of the NBA's premier shot blockers and rebounders, will sign a four-year, $130 million contract with the Lakers, sources said. The includes a player option for the fourth season and a full trade kicker, sources said.

The trade was made after sources told ESPN in June that Kessler turned down an offer from the Jazz for five years and roughly $140 million.

The Lakers, meanwhile, made their first major move after LeBron James informed Los Angeles that he would be playing for another team next season.

Kessler towers over most of the league at 7-foot-2, and he has been one of the NBA's best offensive rebounders since he started his career in 2022-23. He averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds — including an NBA-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds — to go along with 2.4 blocks per game in 2024-25, his last healthy season. Only Victor Wembanyama (3.5) has averaged more blocks per game than Kessler (2.4) since his NBA debut in 2022-23.

He missed all but five games last season after he had shoulder surgery in November. In the meantime, the Jazz, who also failed to come to terms on an extension with Kessler last summer, traded for big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and recently re-signed center Jusuf Nurkic, crowding their frontcourt.

Kessler should help the Lakers on the offensive glass after they ranked 29th in offensive rebounds per game last season.