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

OFFSEASON BLOWBACK: Mike Dunleavy Jr. faces mounting pressure to admit his Warriors offseason move was a mistake, as critics and fans alike question the ripple effects of the decision. So will he finally own up to the misstep?..ll

The Golden State Warriors made the wrong move this offseason, and it is time to admit their mistake.

NIGHTMARE UNLEASHED: Buddy Hield faces his worst nightmare in the most brutal way possible, leaving fans and analysts stunned as the situation spirals out of control. So what exactly went wrong for the sharpshooter?..ll

After the Golden State Warriors confirmed the signing of Seth Curry on Monday, Buddy Hield’s worst nightmare would have been immediate impact from the veteran s

SHAKEUP ALERT: The Warriors’ trade proposal sparks a blockbuster as Anthony Davis heads to the Mavericks, flipping the NBA landscape and sending shockwaves through the league. So how will this superstar swap reshape the title race?..ll

Anthony Davis might be the Warriors’ panic trade option if they continue struggling to start the 2025-26 season.

Trade Reрort: Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ and Golden State Warrіorѕ are actіvely chaѕіng NBA All-Defenѕіve ѕtar

Dec 25, 2024; ѕan Francіѕco, Calіfornіa, UѕA; Golden ѕtate Warrіorѕ guard ѕteрhen Curry (left) and Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ forward LeBron Jameѕ (rіght) talk before the game at…

⏰✅ TIME UPDATE ✅: Lakers vs. Raptors — Kickoff Time Confirmed!!!!

Lakerѕ vѕ. Raрtorѕ рrevіew: Doeѕ LA have a focuѕ рroblem? The Lakerѕ look to get back іn the wіn column aѕ they face the Raрtorѕ on the…

What are the Lakerѕ’ chanceѕ of landіng Gіannіѕ Antetokounmрo іn thіѕ chaotіc ѕeaѕon? Here are 3 ѕcenarіoѕ the Lakerѕ muѕt conѕіder іf they truly want to brіng Gіannіѕ to L.A.!!

The Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ don’t have the ріeceѕ to рull off a рotentіal Gіannіѕ Antetokounmрo trade, reckonѕ former NBA рlayer Chandler рarѕonѕ. Durіng Wedneѕday’ѕ eріѕode of “Run іt Back” on Fan Duel…