The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of Walker Kessler is facing a major roadblock, and it will not be easy for both teams to agree on a potential trade this offseason.
After being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Lakers’ need for an experienced and talented center to fill the defensive void created by Anthony Davis’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks has become evident.
Utah Jazz star Kessler is one of the top prospects that the Lakers have been looking to bring in over the past several weeks. While fans may have believed that a trade is in the works, a Lakers insider revealed that both teams are unable to reach a middle ground in contract negotiations.
What Does Utah Jazz Expect From Lakers in a Potential Walker Kessler Trade?
Kessler signed a four-year contract worth $13,372,418 with the Jazz and still has two years remaining on his deal. Thus, he is one of the most valuable assets on the franchise’s roster and is worth a great deal to them. As a result, the team has a high asking price for him in any potential trade and is unwilling to bargain.
Jovan Buha is an NBA insider who covers the Lakers. During a live YouTube stream, Buha revealed that the Jazz and the Lakers are unable to come to terms regarding a trade involving Kessler because the Jazz want more than the Lakers are prepared to offer at this point in time.
“I’ve just heard nothing, but they want two picks plus a young player for Walker Kessler. So the Lakers cannot do that trade. They can give one pick and one young player and a swap. You could throw in a couple swaps. I probably would try to hold off on the later swaps, but I would maybe throw in three swaps, like just or and take away the protections on the top-four pick in 2027, but I just don’t know if that’s going to be enough for Utah.”
Buha concluded, “Although the Lakers might be willing to give up Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, and one first-round pick to the Jazz in return for Kessler, the Jazz are currently demanding two first-round picks. This is something that the Lakers simply do not have to offer in a trade, making it near impossible for the Lakers to follow through on this trade.”
Perhaps the Jazz will lower their expected price for Kessler in the near future, and the Lakers will be frontrunners to acquire him in that scenario. However, no trade is expected to materialize as things stand currently.
