The Los Angeles Lakers have had their eye on Walker Kessler for a while now - and with good reason. The 24-year-old big man checks a lot of boxes the Lakers have been trying to fill: rim protection, rebounding, and interior presence. And while it once looked like Kessler was firmly in Utah’s long-term plans, the Jazz’s recent blockbuster trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. may have shifted the landscape just enough to crack that door open.
Let’s start with the facts. Kessler started all 58 games he played in during the 2024-25 season and was in the starting lineup for each of his five appearances this year before a shoulder injury sidelined him.
Despite the injury, his value hasn’t dipped - young, productive centers who can anchor a defense don’t grow on trees. And Kessler’s not just any shot-blocker; he’s one of the best in the league at it, averaging 2.4 blocks per game for his career, and an eye-popping 3.4 per 36 minutes.
But here’s where things get interesting: the Jazz just pulled off a headline-grabbing trade, acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies in a multi-player, multi-pick deal. That move signals a shift in Utah’s frontcourt dynamics. With Jackson - a Defensive Player of the Year winner - now in the fold, and Lauri Markkanen still holding down the power forward spot, it’s fair to wonder where Kessler fits in the long-term vision.
On paper, a frontcourt trio of Jackson, Markkanen, and Kessler is intriguing. There’s length, versatility, and a ton of defensive upside.
But rotations only go so deep, and minutes - especially at the 5 - will be harder to come by with Jackson in town. That’s where the Lakers come back into the picture.
Los Angeles has been searching for a consistent, defensive-minded center to pair with their core. Kessler could be that guy.
He’s not only a rim protector, but he’s also a strong rebounder who knows how to create second-chance opportunities - averaging 4.8 offensive boards per 36 minutes. He’s not a back-to-the-basket scorer, but he doesn’t need to be.
His ability to screen, roll, and finish at the rim would fit nicely alongside playmakers like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, giving the Lakers a true vertical threat in the pick-and-roll.
Of course, this isn’t a simple case of “want him, get him.” Kessler is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, which means the Jazz have the right to match any offer sheet he signs.
And according to league reports, Utah still views him as part of their long-term plans - even after the Jackson trade. That could mean they envision a rotation where Jackson, Markkanen, and Kessler all coexist.
It’s ambitious, but not impossible.
Still, Kessler does have some leverage. Restricted free agency isn’t a one-way street. If he feels like his role in Utah is being marginalized, he could push for a change of scenery - much like Quentin Grimes did when he accepted his qualifying offer from the Sixers last offseason, setting himself up for unrestricted free agency in 2026.
For the Lakers, that’s the kind of domino they’ll need to fall. They can’t force Utah’s hand, but they can position themselves to be ready if - and when - Kessler becomes truly available.
Whether that’s this summer or the next, the fit makes sense. He brings the kind of interior presence they’ve lacked, and his skill set would complement their stars without demanding touches or disrupting the offensive flow.
There’s no guarantee this ends with Kessler in purple and gold. But after Utah’s move for Jackson, the path to making it happen is at least a little clearer. For the Lakers, that’s enough to keep the hope alive - and the pursuit very much in play.