The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten a significant boost with former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick now at the helm of an improved coaching staff. The same core that had its ups and downs last season has now kicked off the 2024-25 season with a 3-0 record.
Redick’s tweaks and the Lakers’ improved demeanor are already noticeable, but they’re not here to stand pat. As indicated by NBA analyst Jovan Buha, the Lakers are still aiming to bolster their roster, with Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler emerging as a potential trade target.
Per Bleacher Report:
“I think we need more time to see which guys become available,” Buha said. “I think Walker Kessler is a name that the Lakers have been interested in that would make a lot of sense and would allow you to either start a two-big look or probably more realistically bring him off the bench.”
Right now, the Lakers are seeing encouraging play from Jaxson Hayes in the center role, with Christian Wood and Christian Koloko still waiting for their turn to join the rotation. So, this, along with Kessler’s availability and the early part of the season, has kept discussions to a minimum.
The last we heard was when the New York Knicks reportedly tried multiple times to trade for Kessler in the offseason, but nothing really came to fruition. The Lakers might face a similar situation, though a recent proposal from Heavy Sports suggests there’s still a way to bring Kessler to Los Angeles.
“Lakers get: Walker Kessler
Jazz get: Christian Wood, 2027 first-round pick rights (currently top-4 protected via LAL), 2029 first-round pick
The compensation, namely the draft capital could be a tough sell for the Lakers, who owe their first-round pick in 2025 to the Atlanta Hawks by way of the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers also owe their first-rounder in 2027 to the Jazz, limiting what they can trade.
Perhaps removing the protections on that 2027 pick would satisfy the Jazz amid their rumored asking price for Kessler.”
