Walker Kessler, a young and promising center for the Utah Jazz, has been a rumored trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers over the last season or two. Just days ago, a report in The Athletic indicated that he will not sign a rookie-scale contract extension and will thus become a restricted free agent next summer, and on top of that, one NBA source said the Lakers will look to trade for him again this coming season.
When the Lakers attempted to land Kessler in the past, it seemed as if Utah had a very high price for him. According to a source, the price for L.A. to get him will remain high.
Via Lakers Daily:
“The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler,” wrote Ashish Mathur. “One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to [Luka] Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector.”
Kessler, 24, is a wide-bodied seven-footer who averaged 11.1 points on 66.3% field-goal shooting, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game last season. He isn’t exactly the overall offensive threat that new Lakers center Deandre Ayton is, but he’s a somewhat better rebounder and a much better rim protector and shot blocker.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: What the Lakers would have to give up to get Walker Kessler
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
