The Los Angeles Lakers will pursue a trade for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler again, according to Lakers Daily.
The Lakers have tried to trade for Kessler before.
Utah has a high asking price for the Auburn product,
“The Utah Jazz have a high asking price for Walker Kessler,” Lakers Daily wrote. “One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler.”
Kessler is one of the best centers in the NBA. He appeared in 58 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.4 blocks while shooting 66.3% from the field and 52.0% from the free-throw line. The 24-year-old recorded 28 double-doubles.
An Atlanta native, Kessler has career averages of 9.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.4 blocks. He will make $4.9 million in 2025-26.
The Jazz and Kessler won’t agree to a rookie-scale extension, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Kessler will become a restricted free agent next offseason.
The Jazz had the worst record in the NBA last season. They won only 17 games.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were the third seed in the West. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.
Los Angeles signed Deandre Ayton this offseason, but it appears the franchise still has eyes for Kessler.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Luka Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton in 2025-26. James, the leading scorer in NBA history, has one year left on his contract. He becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.
