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LeBron James and Walker Kessler won't share a Lakers locker room next season.
James’ departure nevertheless helped clear the way for the former Utah Jazz center to become one of the defining pieces of Los Angeles’ next era.
The Lakers entered the offseason uncertain whether James would return or finish his career elsewhere. Once he chose the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles could commit its available resources to building around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
“We had a feeling it was coming, and when LeBron chose to go elsewhere, that locked it in,” an anonymous Lakers front-office executive told Spotrac’s Keith Smith. “The good news is that we knew we'd have Luka and Austin, and that made the pitches to the guys we added really, really easy to make.”
The executive wasn't necessarily saying James’ decision directly completed the Kessler trade.
It finalized the roster direction that made investing so heavily in him logical.
Los Angeles acquired Kessler through a sign-and-trade that included a four-year contract worth approximately $130 million. Utah received unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus the right to swap first-rounders in 2028 and 2030.
That represented a remarkable return for a restricted free agent who appeared in only five games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
It also demonstrated how specifically Kessler fits the Lakers’ new core.
Dončić and Reaves provide enough scoring and creation to accommodate a center who rarely operates outside the paint. Kessler can screen, finish lobs, rebound and protect the rim without requiring designed touches.
“We knew we needed a defensive anchor,” the Lakers executive said. “Walker can protect the rim and rebound.”
Utah recognized the value Los Angeles placed on both skills.
The Jazz also benefited from a league-wide demand for centers. An anonymous NBA personnel director previously told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that “several teams” had pursued Kessler over multiple years and suggested another franchise might have considered a comparable trade package during a more open bidding process.
Los Angeles possessed longstanding interest, and ESPN reported that it was Kessler’s preferred destination.
Once James left, the Lakers had the financial flexibility and organizational clarity to complete the deal.
Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks across 58 games during 2024-25. He then opened last season by averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 70.3% before injuring his shoulder.
Los Angeles paid for what it believes those five games foreshadowed.
Utah converted that possibility into four future draft assets.
The Jazz had already reached an agreement to retain Jusuf Nurkić before trading Kessler, then added Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba afterward. None offers Kessler’s combination of youth and defensive production, but together they prevent Utah from entering next season without experienced centers.
James choosing Philadelphia ended one Lakers era.
Kessler’s arrival revealed how quickly Los Angeles was prepared to begin the next, and how effectively Utah capitalized on that urgency.
Continue reading...
James’ departure nevertheless helped clear the way for the former Utah Jazz center to become one of the defining pieces of Los Angeles’ next era.
The Lakers entered the offseason uncertain whether James would return or finish his career elsewhere. Once he chose the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles could commit its available resources to building around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
“We had a feeling it was coming, and when LeBron chose to go elsewhere, that locked it in,” an anonymous Lakers front-office executive told Spotrac’s Keith Smith. “The good news is that we knew we'd have Luka and Austin, and that made the pitches to the guys we added really, really easy to make.”
The executive wasn't necessarily saying James’ decision directly completed the Kessler trade.
It finalized the roster direction that made investing so heavily in him logical.
Los Angeles acquired Kessler through a sign-and-trade that included a four-year contract worth approximately $130 million. Utah received unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus the right to swap first-rounders in 2028 and 2030.
That represented a remarkable return for a restricted free agent who appeared in only five games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
It also demonstrated how specifically Kessler fits the Lakers’ new core.
Dončić and Reaves provide enough scoring and creation to accommodate a center who rarely operates outside the paint. Kessler can screen, finish lobs, rebound and protect the rim without requiring designed touches.
“We knew we needed a defensive anchor,” the Lakers executive said. “Walker can protect the rim and rebound.”
Utah recognized the value Los Angeles placed on both skills.
The Jazz also benefited from a league-wide demand for centers. An anonymous NBA personnel director previously told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that “several teams” had pursued Kessler over multiple years and suggested another franchise might have considered a comparable trade package during a more open bidding process.
Los Angeles possessed longstanding interest, and ESPN reported that it was Kessler’s preferred destination.
Once James left, the Lakers had the financial flexibility and organizational clarity to complete the deal.
Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks across 58 games during 2024-25. He then opened last season by averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 70.3% before injuring his shoulder.
Los Angeles paid for what it believes those five games foreshadowed.
Utah converted that possibility into four future draft assets.
The Jazz had already reached an agreement to retain Jusuf Nurkić before trading Kessler, then added Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba afterward. None offers Kessler’s combination of youth and defensive production, but together they prevent Utah from entering next season without experienced centers.
James choosing Philadelphia ended one Lakers era.
Kessler’s arrival revealed how quickly Los Angeles was prepared to begin the next, and how effectively Utah capitalized on that urgency.
Continue reading...
