The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, giving Luka Dončić the A-list center he had requested.
The Lakers are sending two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Jazz for the 7-foot-2 center, who was a restricted free agent.
NBA World Reacts as Los Angeles Lakers Acquire Walker Kessler
The trade for Kessler becomes the Lakers’ first big move since losing LeBron James to free agency. The 24-year-old averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds last season, but was limited to just 5 appearances due to a torn labrum.
ESPN insider Shams Charania revealed that Kessler will also sign a four-year, $130 million contract with the Lakers, leaving the NBA world stunned by how much Rob Pelinka and co. were willing to pay for him.
“Kessler’s $130M deal includes a player option in the fourth season, plus a full trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. The Lakers land their signature center for star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by moving two firsts and two swaps to the Jazz,” he wrote on X.
Kessler’s $130M deal includes a player option in the fourth season, plus a full trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. The Lakers land their signature center for star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by moving two firsts and two swaps to the Jazz. https://t.co/7kd6UhvHK9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
“Holy smokes. This is a massive overpay,” wrote The Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni. “$32.5M a year for a player who isn’t a top 10 center in the league AND two far away unprotected picks and two swaps. I don’t understand this at all from the Lakers POV.
A Milwaukee Bucks podcaster added that the Lakers are giving up too much draft capital for Kessler, who has appeared in just 63 games over the last two seasons.
“Good god that’s so much to give up for a guy who has played 63 games in the last two years,” he wrote.
Aside from the trade, one user was stunned by how much the Lakers paid the big man. “I mean just overpay of the century my god,” they wrote.
I mean just overpay of the century my god https://t.co/A00CbPLNpg
— Keenan (@Nittanylion02) July 1, 2026
NBA insider Brett Siegel called it a “big loss” for the Jazz, adding that he was surprised they did not do more to keep him.
“I’m quite shocked Utah didn’t exceed the rumored $28M they wanted Kessler back on. Instead, he gets $32.5M AAV from the Lakers, despite he and the Jazz holding mutual interest on getting a deal done. Big deal for the Lakers and big loss for the Jazz,” he wrote.
I’m quite shocked Utah didn’t exceed the rumored $28M they wanted Kessler back on.
Instead, he gets $32.5M AAV from the Lakers, despite he and the Jazz holding mutual interest on getting a deal done.
Big deal for the Lakers and big loss for the Jazz. https://t.co/aFU0ZR2qvG
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 1, 2026
“2 unprotected first round picks AND 2 1st rd pick swaps.. that’s an overpay for Walker Kessler. Jazz fleece Pelinka,” one content creator added.
“$32M a year + 2 unprotected firsts + 2 first-round pick swaps for Walker Kessler Yea….idk about that, what a price to pay,” another user wrote.
$32M a year + 2 unprotected firsts + 2 first-round pick swaps for Walker Kessler
Yea….idk about that, what a price to pay.
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) July 1, 2026
Alongside a contract extension for Austin Reaves, signing a top-tier center was at the top of Dončić’s list of requests to the Lakers front office for this offseason.
The Lakers also held talks with Jalen Duren, but ultimately decided to sign Kessler as their next starting center.
