The Lakers’ move for Walker Kessler is the kind of deal that makes a team like the Hawks look smart for keeping its distance.
Atlanta had flirted with the idea of landing Kessler, but the price tag that ultimately came together in Los Angeles was steep enough to change the conversation fast. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, “The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 ... Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers.”
That’s the kind of package that forces a hard reset on the Hawks’ thinking. A center upgrade sounded appealing, especially after Atlanta was pushed around inside in its first-round loss to the eventual champion New York Knicks. But the cost of getting Kessler would have been enormous, whether that meant paying more than Utah wanted to match or getting dragged into a sign-and-trade battle with other suitors.
For Atlanta, the timing matters. The Hawks already re-signed Jock Landale to a one-year, $14 million deal, and that move now looks a lot more practical than reckless. They also have Onyeka Okongwu and Henri Veesaar in the mix, giving them a center rotation that may not feature a true star, but does offer real usefulness.
That’s a very different situation from the Lakers, who had far more urgency. Since acquiring Luka Doncic before the 2025 trade deadline, Los Angeles has been searching for a reliable center, and that desperation showed up in the final price. The Lakers gave up most of the tradable draft assets they had left and paid Kessler well above what many would consider market value.
Atlanta, by comparison, chose restraint. And in this case, restraint looks a lot like discipline.
There’s still a what-if attached to the Hawks’ frontcourt. If Landale had been healthy for any of the Knicks series, the outcome might have looked different.
Instead, he was hurt right before the postseason, which only added to the logic of bringing him back. The team knows what it has there, and the fit is already in place.
That’s why passing on Kessler may have been the right call. The Hawks are likely heading into the season with a center tandem that plenty of teams would be happy to call their own. Betting big on a costly overpay would have carried real risk for a franchise still trying to build forward.
In Other News...
Hawks Are Running Out Of Room For What Could Come Next
The Hawks have spent the offseason stacking the board in ways that usually make life easier later, not harder. After re-signing several free agents and making additional trades and draft picks, Atlanta has put itself in a near-full roster situation with a salary cap sheet sitting just below the luxury tax line, a setup that reflects how aggressively the front office has tried to keep options open while still adding depth.
The problem now is that flexibility can disappear quickly when the final spots get sorted out. Atlanta still has some uncertainty around Henri Veesaar and what kind of contract he will ultimately be on, and the Hawks appetite for keeping future moves available could force a tougher decision on the back end of the roster. The good news is that their draft position has improved since the Dejounte Murray trade, with a mix of protected and unprotected picks giving them more leverage than they had before, but the challenge is turning that asset base into enough room to do everything they may still want to do. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kumingas Next Landing Spot Could Say Plenty About Atlanta
Jonathan Kumingas next stop is worth watching closely around Atlanta because it traces back to a decision the Hawks already made. By declining his team option, they sent him into unrestricted free agency, and now the forwards market is starting to take shape as teams sort through what they can offer and how aggressive they want to be with a young player whose athleticism still makes him an intriguing bet.
Milwaukee has emerged as one of the places to monitor, especially as the Bucks work through a rebuilding stretch and look for upside plays that fit a broader reset. They have the kind of financial flexibility that could make a pursuit possible, and the conversation around Kuminga only gets more interesting if other roster moves open additional room, leaving Atlantas original call looking even more consequential in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]