The Los Angeles Lakers could have crammed their gap at heart with the signing of Deandre Ayton this offseason, however that received’t cease them from chasing one other massive man. A league supply advised Lakers Each day that the Lakers plan to make one other push for Utah Jazz heart Walker Kessler throughout the 2025-26 season.
The Lakers have tried to commerce for Kessler in every of the previous two years. Their curiosity has not light, even after Luka Doncic, who shares an agent with Ayton in Invoice Duffy, helped recruit the previous No. 1 choose to Los Angeles. “The Lakers will try to commerce for Kessler once more throughout the 2025-26 season,” in accordance with the report.
In the meantime, Tony Jones of The Athletic famous that Kessler and Utah “won’t comply with a rookie-scale extension,” setting him as much as hit restricted free company subsequent summer season as soon as the Jazz tender a qualifying supply.
The 24-year-old is seen as one of many league’s finest younger defensive facilities. Final season, he averaged 11.1 factors, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and a couple of.4 blocks per recreation whereas capturing 66.3 p.c from the sphere. He recorded 28 double-doubles throughout 58 appearances. For his profession, he owns averages of 9.4 factors, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals and a couple of.4 blocks.
Utah is predicted to maintain its asking worth steep. The Jazz would need Austin Reaves and a number of first-round picks in return, one supply advised Lakers Each day. That worth has saved Los Angeles from pulling the set off up to now, however many imagine Kessler can be an excellent complement to Doncic and LeBron James. His rim safety and lob-finishing capability may stability out the Lakers’ offense and protection.
For now, head coach JJ Redick will roll with a projected beginning lineup of Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James, and Ayton, whereas newcomers Marcus Good and Jake LaRavia come off the bench. However because the February commerce deadline nears, all eyes can be on Rob Pelinka to see if that is the 12 months Los Angeles lastly will get Kessler.
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