The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, sending two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler will sign a four-year, $130 million contract with Los Angeles that includes a player option in the fourth season and a full trade kicker.
The deal gives the Lakers a long-term interior presence after their 2025-26 season ended with a second-round sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Los Angeles finished fourth in the Western Conference at 53-29, but Oklahoma City eliminated the Lakers 4-0 after holding them under 110 points in three of the four games.
Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocks in five games with Utah in 2025-26. Over his four NBA seasons, Kessler has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 68.1% from the field.
Kessler’s biggest impact has come defensively. He has averaged at least 2.3 blocks per game in each of his first four seasons and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting after his 2022-23 season, when he averaged 2.3 blocks in 23 minutes per game.
The move also changes the Lakers’ roster construction around Luka Doncic. The All-NBA guard averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists during the 2025-26 season, while Austin Reaves added 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Adding a rim-running, shot-blocking center gives Los Angeles another pick-and-roll option alongside its perimeter stars.
Kessler’s offensive role has expanded over his career. After averaging 8.1 points in 2023-24, he improved to 11.1 points on 66.3% shooting in 2024-25 while starting all 58 games he played. His 2025-26 sample included a career-best 75% three-point mark on limited attempts, though he has not yet developed into a consistent floor spacer.
The Lakers paid a significant price for Kessler, giving up future draft flexibility with unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 plus swaps in 2028 and 2030. Utah, which finished 22-60 and last in the Western Conference, adds long-term assets as it continues its rebuild.
The deal also changes the structure of the roster. Los Angeles had already lost LeBron James, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart this offseason, making center one of the few places where the team could make a dramatic upgrade.
