The Los Angeles Lakers have several voids on their roster after not making any significant acquisitions in the offseason. As it stands, the Lakers have only added Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, two rookies selected in the 2024 NBA draft. With a definite need to improve, the Lakers will have a struggle in the coming weeks.
According to Isaac Gutierrez of Bleacher Report, the Lakers’ most essential addition could be a backup center. Gutierrez mentioned ten Lakers trade targets during a recent live stream, including Utah Jazz big Walker Kessler as a backup to Anthony Davis.
“If you’ve watched Team USA, you’ve seen what Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo have looked like together as a defensive frontline,” Gutierrez told reporters on July 23. “You cannot score against that duo. For years, Anthony Davis has been a full-time center for the Lakers due to his declining jump shot.
“But we could still get a solid amount of minutes every game with him next to a center and use it as a 12-minute rotation. Even outside of the minutes with Anthony Davis, they currently have a black hole at backup center. Last year, this was the main weakness of the entire roster. They need someone to at least keep the defense going when Anthony Davis is out, and Walker Kessler could do more than that.
Kessler’s trade value might be too high.
Trading for Kessler may force the Los Angeles Lakers to shift some of their assets, which might backfire if a better player becomes available that they require.
The Lakers only have two tradeable first-round picks, so keeping onto them for a non-backup center could be the best option.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Utah Jazz want a first-round selection for his services. Danny Ainge, the Jazz’s CEO of Basketball Operations, has historically received favorable compensation.
“But teams in touch with Utah say the Jazz are looking for at least a first-round pick in return for Kessler in these conversations that had gone on earlier in the offseason,” Begley explained to reporters on July 8.
While not all first-round picks are created equal, Begley revealed on July 9 that the Jazz have received two first-round offers in recent weeks. These might be two anticipated late first-round picks, or just one pick and one swap.
“Teams had offered two first-rounders to Utah in the past couple weeks, and were rebuffed,” Begley informed me.
Why Could the Lakers Use Kessler?
Having someone like Kessler on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster may alleviate a lot of pressure on Davis. Davis has excelled at the five since making the full-time switch, but he was perhaps the best four in basketball when he played exclusively there.
Kessler, 22, had his role cut last season, starting only 22 of 64 games after starting 40 of 74 the year before. He was still a top-tier rim protector, averaging 2.4 blocks per game.
When he made the All-Rookie team, he averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote.
If the Lakers signed a guy of his caliber, their lineup would become more versatile with two bigs. He’d most likely be a backup owing to his and Davis’ shooting deficiencies. However, there is still a possibility that Kessler may start beside him, which would be intriguing against Nikola Jokic and other Western Conference centers.
