The Los Angeles Lakers just pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. Rob Pelinka and Co. didn’t waste any time after LeBron James announced his decision to leave Los Angeles.
The Lakers are giving up unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler’s deal comes with a player option on the fourth season and a full trade kicker included. Although it seems like they’re fixing a major hole, one former player had a rather interesting reaction to the trade.
Anthony Davis Takes Shots at Rob Pelinka?
Anthony Davis responded to a post from CuffsTheLegend, a well-known Lakers content creator and close friend of LeBron James, that laid out the frustration many inside the Lakers circle had been feeling for years.
“Anthony Davis practically begged Rob Pelinka to get him a CENTER alongside him for YEARS… Rob didn’t budge. AD got back doored.. Bron lowkey got back doored.. and NOW he wanna be a competent GM now that the duo that won you a championship is gone.. you can’t make this shit up LOL” CuffsTheLegend’s X post said.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) July 1, 2026
Davis didn’t have to write much, but the laughing emojis he used to reply to the X post spoke volumes about his feelings right now.
For a player who spent the better part of four years in Los Angeles going to battle with James without a reliable center, the timing of the Kessler acquisition could be quite painful.
The frustration around the center position was never a secret. Davis played much of his Lakers career as a power forward-center, despite preferring to play the four, and repeatedly addressed the issue in post-game interviews and press conferences.
Previously, he told reporters directly that having a true center would help the team and take some of the defensive burden off his shoulders.
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The Lakers had multiple options at the position over the years, including Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Thomas Bryant, Damian Jones, and Christian Wood. None of whom provided the consistent, high-level play that a team with championship aspirations required.
In addition to Kessler, the Lakers also signed Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton to multi-million dollar deals. It’s pretty evident that Pelinka is looking to bolster the bench as well, after signing a big.
The Lakers have a much more balanced team now compared to last year. Kessler is a talented and versatile big man who can deliver at the highest level. But it’s interesting that the Lakers couldn’t deliver this solution when it was actually needed.
It will be quite interesting to see how this roster performs in the 2026-27 season, with Dončić and Austin Reaves leading them. They certainly have multiple weaknesses in defense, but the Lakers are certainly a better squad than before.
