Lakers Reportedly Extend Offer to Jazz Center Walker Kessler as Front Office Prioritizes Rim Protection and Youthful Rebuild Efforts
The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise perennially caught in the balance between championship aspirations and roster recalibrations, have reportedly made a move to address a glaring issue that has haunted them in recent seasons—rim protection. According to league sources, the Lakers have extended a formal offer to Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler, signaling their intent to add a reliable young center who offers elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and long-term upside. While the terms of the offer have yet to be made public, the fact that the Lakers are even pursuing Kessler sheds light on the front office’s evolving offseason blueprint, one that now appears to be targeting not just established stars but functional, cost-controlled youth who can contribute right away.
Kessler, just 23 years old, emerged as one of the top defensive centers in the league during his rookie season and continued to solidify his reputation during his sophomore campaign. Standing 7’1” with a massive wingspan, Kessler averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game in his first two years with the Jazz, showcasing timing, footwork, and discipline rarely seen in a player so young. He also brings a deceptively efficient offensive skill set, finishing at an elite clip around the rim while flashing signs of midrange touch. For a Lakers team that has struggled to defend the paint, especially when Anthony Davis is off the court or forced into playing center full-time, Kessler offers immediate relief and a path to frontcourt flexibility.
What makes this pursuit even more intriguing is the context within which it’s happening. The Lakers are at a crossroads. LeBron James is inching toward his 40th birthday and weighing whether to opt into his $51.4 million player option or become a free agent. Anthony Davis, while still playing at an All-NBA level when healthy, is also on the other side of 30 and has dealt with nagging injuries throughout his time in Los Angeles. The rest of the roster remains in flux. D’Angelo Russell is a potential sign-and-trade candidate. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves are under contract, but their roles are far from guaranteed, especially if the Lakers undergo another significant shakeup.
Against this backdrop, the pursuit of Walker Kessler isn’t just about adding a center—it’s a statement about the direction the Lakers might be taking. Rob Pelinka and the front office have spoken about the importance of building a sustainable team around Davis and a post-LeBron era nucleus. Targeting Kessler, a player under team control through at least the 2026 season, would be in line with a strategy of surrounding Davis with high-IQ, defensively sound, low-usage players who can thrive in both transition-heavy and half-court environments. Kessler also represents a stylistic shift. In previous years, the Lakers have gone for aging former stars like Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, or injury-prone reclamation projects. Kessler offers modern defensive versatility and, crucially, room to grow.
It’s worth noting that Utah’s willingness to move Kessler remains uncertain. Danny Ainge and the Jazz front office have shown a willingness to wheel and deal when the right price is offered, but they also value their young core. Kessler, alongside Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Taylor Hendricks, is seen as one of the building blocks of their long-term future. Any offer from the Lakers would likely have to include draft compensation and possibly a young player like Jalen Hood-Schifino or Max Christie. The Lakers do hold future first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, which could be appealing to a Jazz team playing the long game. If the Lakers are indeed serious about acquiring Kessler, it will require more than just cap maneuvering—it will necessitate commitment to part with assets.
What’s also notable is how Kessler’s presence might impact Anthony Davis. For years, there has been an internal push-and-pull about whether Davis is best utilized as a center or power forward. While he has thrived in small-ball lineups, he has publicly expressed a preference for playing next to a traditional big man. That was part of the rationale for acquiring players like Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard in years past. With Kessler, the Lakers could allow Davis to shift back to his natural position more consistently, minimizing his wear and tear and preserving his availability for the postseason. In terms of stylistic fit, a Davis-Kessler frontcourt would give the Lakers elite rim protection, switchability on defense, and vertical spacing on offense.
Kessler also checks a lot of boxes in terms of locker room presence. By all accounts, he’s a consummate professional, well-liked by teammates, and coachable. He brings none of the off-court baggage or erratic performance swings that have plagued some of the Lakers’ recent role player acquisitions. His salary is also manageable. As a late first-round pick on a rookie-scale contract, he offers incredible value for production. In an era where big men like Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, and Myles Turner command upwards of $20 million annually, getting Kessler on a rookie deal is the kind of cap-efficient move that allows a team like the Lakers to build out the rest of the roster with quality depth.
Beyond the court, Kessler’s arrival could also signal a cultural reset. The Lakers have too often been reliant on star-chasing in free agency or trading away young assets for short-term gain. That approach brought them a title in 2020, but it also left them depleted in 2021 and 2022. Investing in a young, developing core is what made the 2023-24 Lakers somewhat sustainable, and adding Kessler would only deepen that trend. It would also send a clear message to Davis—and possibly LeBron—that the franchise is planning not just for the next season, but the next era.
Of course, much will hinge on LeBron’s decision. If he opts into his contract and returns to chase another title, the Lakers may try to combine veterans with a youth infusion. If he leaves, either through free agency or retirement, the franchise may go all-in on building around Davis and a new generation of players. In either scenario, Kessler fits the plan. He’s young enough to be part of a rebuild, but polished enough to contribute now. He doesn’t demand touches and fits seamlessly alongside high-usage stars.
The Lakers’ decision to pursue Kessler also highlights their evolving relationship with the Western Conference landscape. Nikola Jokic remains a fixture in Denver. Victor Wembanyama is rising in San Antonio. Chet Holmgren is developing in Oklahoma City. Domantas Sabonis powers Sacramento. If the Lakers want to compete in the West, they must have answers for size, versatility, and two-way bigs. Kessler may not be a superstar, but he gives them a fighting chance in those matchups. His ability to alter shots, defend in drop or switch coverage, and rebound in traffic would instantly shore up one of the Lakers’ most consistent weaknesses.
Whether or not the Lakers ultimately land Kessler, the fact that they’re targeting players of his profile should encourage fans looking for a smarter, more coherent roster strategy. Instead of chasing flashy names or aging former stars, they’re going after high-character, efficient, role-specific players with upside. In the current NBA, where depth, continuity, and adaptability often matter more than top-heavy rosters, that could be the difference between another first-round exit and a legitimate postseason run.
Only time will tell how serious these talks are and whether the Jazz are even willing to engage. But the Lakers extending an offer is not just transactional—it’s philosophical. It suggests they’ve learned something from the past few seasons. It suggests they’re prioritizing structure over stardom, long-term planning over temporary fireworks. And it suggests that, even with LeBron James nearing the end of his legendary career, the Lakers are finally looking to build something sustainable—starting from the inside out.
