In lower than a month, the 2025-26 NBA season will formally start. After a disappointing finish to their 2024-25 marketing campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers are keen for achievement.Â
To deal with a necessity at heart, the Lakers signed free agent DeAndre Ayton this offseaosn. Ayton is predicted to pair properly as a lob-threat large man alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Nevertheless, one league supply believes Los Angeles has curiosity in one other frontcourt participant. In response to Lakers Each day, the staff would attempt to commerce for Jazz’s Walker Kessler through the 2025-26 season.
Walker Kessler remains to be on the Lakers’ radar heading into 2025-26
The Utah Jazz would reportedly need Austin Reaves and two first-round picks in a commerce centered round sending Walker Kessler to the Lakers, per @LakersDailyCom
“The Jazz have a excessive asking worth for Kessler. One supply advised Lakers Each day that the Lakers must half methods… pic.twitter.com/VC9DciuGOZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 25, 2025
With the twenty second decide within the 2022 NBA draft, Walker Kessler was chosen by the Grizzlies out of Auburn. On draft night time, Kessler was traded to Utah. That’s the place the 24-year-old has spent the primary three seasons of his profession. Kessler is coming into its fourth yr in 2025-26. He’s performed in 196 video games and made 120 begins for the Jazz. Kessler’s 11.1 factors, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per recreation in 2024-25 had been a brand new career-high for the previous first-round decide.
Earlier this week, Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that the Jazz should not anticipated to achieve an extension with Walker Kessler. Which means Kessler will turn out to be a restricted free agent on the finish of the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, one league supply predicts that Kessler may find yourself in a brand new metropolis. Reportedly, the Los Angeles Lakers have curiosity in Walker Kessler.
The Utah Jazz would need Austin Reaves and two first-round picks in a commerce that might ship Walker Kessler to the Lakers 👀
(through Lakers Each day) pic.twitter.com/fjSiD9damL
— Basketball Endlessly (@bballforever_) September 26, 2025
In every of the previous two seasons, Los Angeles has tried to commerce for Kessler. They’ve been unable to achieve an settlement. Lakers Each day reviews that the staff will strive once more through the 2025-26 season. Utah apparently needs Austin Reaves and two first-round picks in alternate for Walker Kessler. That’s a steep asking worth for a middle who is restricted offensively.
Barring a significant change, the Lakers’ roster for the upcoming season is about. If the staff begins to battle within the frontcourt, GM Rob Pelinka may contact the Jazz. There’s no guarentee Utah will half methods with Walker Kessler. For now, the 24-year-old remains to be a part of Jazz’s roster. Their first recreation of the 2025-26 season is Wednesday, October 22, vs. the LA Clippers.
