TRADE BREAKING: Lakers linked to trade for 1 top defensive center

Despite their surprise 3-0 start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers may still be actively seeking ways to improve.

Lakers linked to trade for one top defensive center | Yardbarker

Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported over the weekend that the Lakers are interested in a possible trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. Buha notes that Kessler could make sense for the team as either a starting 5 alongside Anthony Davis or as a bench big.

The 7-foot Kessler may only be 23 years old, but he is already known as one of the best young rim protectors in the league.

The No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Kessler has averaged 2.4 blocks per game over the course of his career and has been praised for his strong instincts as a defensive anchor.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have had Davis (who looks like an MVP candidate thus far with averages of 34.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game) as their starting center with Rui Hachimura at the starting power forward spot and Jaxson Hayes as the first big man off the bench.

While that combination has worked very well so far, it might not be sustainable over the course of an 82-game NBA season, especially with Davis also being tasked with serving as the team’s defensive cornerstone.

Kessler, who is still on his rookie contract for this season and next season, has long been rumored as a possible trade candidate for the rebuilding Jazz and even got interest over the summer from another big-market juggernaut.

It should also be noted that the Jazz and Lakers have been trade partners before and that both franchises are relative strongholds for Klutch Sports.

Related Posts

Bulls Projected to Make Tough Call on Recent Draft Picks’ Future

The recent draft pick is entering the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls and is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension

Bulls must make stunning RFA decision that would change the course of the franchise

Chicago should let Josh Giddey walk in favor of an ascending two-way wing with the kind of star potential the Bulls desperately need.

Chicago Bulls Give Key Starter Big Ultimatum

The Chicago Bulls finished their 2024-25 campaign with a play-in tournament loss to the Miami Heat, and now, looking ahead to next season, the franchise could c

Report: Heat Won’t Unload Picks in Suns, Durant Trade

The Phoenix Suns won’t get an entire haul of picks for Kevin Durant.

2 early Miami Heat NBA trade targets in 2025 offseason

Here we will discuss the two players whom the Miami Heat must target to trade for as they enter the 2025 NBA offseason.

Miami Heat Fans Trolling Darius Garland Amid Game 4 Blowout

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently trying to overcome a 41-point halftime deficit against the Indiana Pacers. Somewhere in South Florida, Miami Heat fans are