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The Los Angeles Lakers have made their first significant move in the post-LeBron James era after pulling off a trade with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are sending the Jazz two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
In addition to all that, the Lakers are giving Kessler a four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes a player option in the fourth year, as well as a full trade kicker.
“The Lakers land their signature center for star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by moving two firsts and two swaps to the Jazz,” Charania wrote.
MORE: Projecting the Pistons’ starting lineup with John Collins
Here’s what the Lakers’ starting five will look like.
Mar 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Jake LaRavia
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Walker Kessler
The big change here, of course, is DeAndre Ayton getting pushed out of the starting lineup.
Ayton, who had his $8.1 million player option picked up recently, started in all 72 games he played in last season.
Kessler averaged 14.4 points per game to Ayton’s 12.5, and he had nearly three more rebounds per contest, also.
MORE: Does NBA have better offseason order than NFL?
Between the two fellow former Rookie of the Year candidates, Kessler is the superior defender to Ayton, so he’ll provide a boost to the Lakers’ frontcourt in that area, also.
The Lakers will keep their guard combo intact with Luka Doncic, who will hopefully be healthier in 2026-27, after missing 18 contests.
Reaves returns on a max deal worth $185 million over four years. He’s coming off a career-best season in terms of scoring after averaging 23.3 points per contest.
The Lakers aren’t done, but for now we have Vanderbilt at power forward and LaRavia at small forward. The former only started in three games last season while LaRavia started in 43 and played in all 82 games overall.
Continue reading...
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are sending the Jazz two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
In addition to all that, the Lakers are giving Kessler a four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes a player option in the fourth year, as well as a full trade kicker.
“The Lakers land their signature center for star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by moving two firsts and two swaps to the Jazz,” Charania wrote.
MORE: Projecting the Pistons’ starting lineup with John Collins
Here’s what the Lakers’ starting five will look like.
Lakers projected starting lineup with Walker Kessler
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Mar 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Jake LaRavia
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Walker Kessler
The big change here, of course, is DeAndre Ayton getting pushed out of the starting lineup.
Ayton, who had his $8.1 million player option picked up recently, started in all 72 games he played in last season.
Kessler averaged 14.4 points per game to Ayton’s 12.5, and he had nearly three more rebounds per contest, also.
MORE: Does NBA have better offseason order than NFL?
Between the two fellow former Rookie of the Year candidates, Kessler is the superior defender to Ayton, so he’ll provide a boost to the Lakers’ frontcourt in that area, also.
The Lakers will keep their guard combo intact with Luka Doncic, who will hopefully be healthier in 2026-27, after missing 18 contests.
Reaves returns on a max deal worth $185 million over four years. He’s coming off a career-best season in terms of scoring after averaging 23.3 points per contest.
The Lakers aren’t done, but for now we have Vanderbilt at power forward and LaRavia at small forward. The former only started in three games last season while LaRavia started in 43 and played in all 82 games overall.
Continue reading...
