Lakers roster and starting lineup after Walker Kessler trade

[ASFN Admin]

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially begun their post-LeBron James era with a massive move that fans had been hoping to see come to fruition. Just 24 hours after reports confirmed LeBron's departure from Los Angeles, general manager Rob Pelinka aggressively pivoted in free agency to address the team's most glaring positional need, executing a blockbuster sign-and-trade for Utah Jazz restricted free agent Walker Kessler.

The Lakers are reportedly signing the 24-year-old rim protector to a massive four-year, $130 million contract, sending unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, to Utah, as ESPN's Shams Charania first reported.

Trade details:

• Lakers get: Walker Kessler
• Jazz get: 2031 and 2033 unprotected first-round picks, first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030

The Lakers reportedly spoke with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren on the opening day of free agency, but ultimately made the move to acquire Kessler from the Jazz to give Doncic and company another weapon down low, and he's expected to slot in as the team's starter over Deandre Ayton.

Lakers updated roster and starting lineup after the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade​

• PG: Luka Doncic
• SG: Austin Reaves, Cameron Carr (R), Bronny James
• SF**: Dalton Knecht
• PF**: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero
• C: Walker Kessler, Deandre Ayton

**The Lakers are reportedly in conversations to finalize deals with former Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, who was previously with the Philadelphia 76ers.

While the Lakers' roster is still coming together after the expected departures of James, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart, the likely additions of Mamukelashvili and Grimes would be solid pieces to build around a core of Doncic, Reaves and Kessler.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Lakers roster and starting lineup after Walker Kessler trade

Continue reading...