Lakers Trade Rumors: Jazz’s Walker Kessler Among Players LA Has Interest in Acquiring

Jack MurrayOctober 26, 2024

Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers may not make a trade anytime soon, but there is at least one player they have some level of interest in as the 2024-25 NBA season gets underway.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the Lakers have some interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and that he could be a name to watch as the campaign rolls along.

“I think we need more time to see which guys become available,” Buha said (49:25). “I think Walker Kessler is a name that the Lakers have been interested in that would make a lot of sense and would allow you to either start a two-big look or probably more realistically bring him off the bench.”

Kessler is in his third NBA season and is coming off of a 2023-24 campaign in which he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 64 games. He has split his time as a starter and reserve to this point in his career but has started both of Utah’s games to start this season.

His seven-foot frame would provide some much-needed height to the Lakers roster. Anthony Davis is currently being deployed at center and he could potentially shift to power forward if Kessler was acquired. If he were to remain in a bench role, it would at least provide some strong depth behind Davis and give head coach JJ Redick some more lineup flexibility.

While the Lakers will certainly keep an eye on Kessler and the overall trade market, the team’s 2-0 start should at least signal that it won’t rush to make a move too soon.