Lakers Land Walker Kessler Shocking Sign-and-Trade With Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers acquire their top target of the NBA offseason, with the team getting an A-list center to play alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Oct 16, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) smiles after making a great play during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Heading into the NBA offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers had a few goals to accomplish, with re-signing Austin Reaves being the top priority, followed by the team acquiring an A-list center that would be ideal to play alongside superstar Luka Doncic.

After agreeing to terms with Reaves on a new deal, the Lakers shifted their focus to finding that upgrade at the center position and were able to do just that on Wednesday.

Lakers Pull Off Sign-and-Trade for Walker Kessler

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have acquired rising star Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

Although the Lakers had to give up considerable draft capital to bring in Kessler, sacrificing two-first round picks and two pick swaps, landing the 22-year-old center is an absolute home run for the 17-time NBA champions.

The Lakers now have their three stars to build around for the foreseeable future and could become a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference sooner rather than later.

Even though landing Kessler is a big win for the Lakers, the team’s front office still has a lot of work to do this summer to put together a competitive roster for next season, considering the team lost LeBron James, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart in NBA free agency.

Lakers Make Flurry of Signings Following Walker Kessler Trade

Jan 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Immediately after it was announced that the Lakers would be acquiring Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, the team agreed to bring in three more players in free agency.

Along with adding Kessler to the frontcourt, Los Angeles is bringing in big man Sandro Mamukelashvili, formerly of the Toronto Raptors. He'll be signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the Lakers.

Rob Pelinka and company didn't stop there as they also added to the backcourt, agreeing to deals with Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), reuniting him with Luka Doncic, and former Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million).

Following these additions to the squad, Los Angeles still has a few free agents left on its roster, most notably Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes. Hachimura is likely on his way out, as many believed would be the case, while Hayes signing for the veteran minimum might be a possibility.

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