Walker Kessler Is a Perfect Fit as the Lakers’ Franchise Center

Walker Kessler is the Los Angeles Lakers’ new franchise center.

Just a day after LeBron James announced his plans to play elsewhere, the Lakers acquired the seven-foot shot blocker from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal.

The Lakers sent their 2031 and 2033 first-round picks, along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, to the Jazz for the 24-year-old big man. Kessler agreed to a four-year, $130 million contract with Los Angeles that includes a player option for the final year.

Walker Kessler Is a Perfect Fit for Lakers

The Georgia native and 2022 NCAA Naismith Defensive Player of the Year is the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Averaging 2.4 blocks per game for his NBA career, Kessler brings a level of rim protection the Lakers have lacked since the blockbuster Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. He is also the missing piece in a Doncic-led offense — a lob threat.

Doncic is one of the league’s most prolific pick-and-roll ball-handlers. Last season, he generated 1.04 points per possession in a league-most 10.8 pick-and-roll situations per game.

Now, inserting the 7-foot-2 big man in the roller or dunker spot will benefit both players. Doncic will have more options when orchestrating the offense, and Kessler’s offensive game will open up like never before in his young career.

Center of the Future

The Lakers are investing heavily in Kessler. They do not have a tradeable first-round pick for the next seven years after this deal. They are also are committing a combined $475 million on Doncic, Reaves and Kessler’s new deals. 

Teams invest that much in players they view as essential to their goals. Kessler isn’t an experimental signing. He is Los Angeles’ center of the future.