The Los Angeles Lakers are out of the playoffs. Getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder is not how they envisioned ending their season. Playing the entire series without Luka Doncic made it impossible for them to beat the defending champions.
With the season finished, the Lakers have a lot of decisions to make with the roster. They have a lot of pending free agents who either need to be re-signed or let go. That includes LeBron James, who could also decide to retire. This roster was clearly not good enough to win a title.
Now that it’s the offseason, Los Angeles will likely start making calls to try to execute some trades. While Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be every team’s top trade target, Bleacher Report has a different guy as the Lakers’ top trade target. That is young center Walker Kessler.
GettyUtah Jazz center Walker Kessler reacts during a game. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Walker Kessler Listed as Lakers’ Top Trade Target
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes that Kessler should be the top trade target for Los Angeles. Kessler missed the entire season for the Utah Jazz after undergoing shoulder surgery for an offseason injury. He tore his labrum, which is the first major injury he has ever suffered.
Kessler would be a massive upgrade over Deandre Ayton. The Ayton experiment did not work this year after he signed a two-year deal with the Lakers. He had career lows in points, rebounds, and assists this season. He has a player option for next season, which he might pick up.
Buckley believes the center spot is in need of the biggest upgrade in the offseason.
“While the Lakers have squeezed what they can out of the Deandre Ayton-Jaxson Hayes combo at center, this position appears in most dire need of an offseason upgrade,” Buckley wrote.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton reacts in a game. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Would Have a Tough Time Trading for Walker Kessler
While the Lakers would love to add Kessler, it would be very tough to land him in a trade. When Utah traded for Jaren Jackson Jr., they made it very clear that they weren’t bringing him in to replace Kessler. They envision both players playing together in the starting lineup.
Kessler is on an expiring deal heading into next season, which could accelerate them getting calls from other teams. Multiple teams tried to trade for him at this year’s trade deadline, but were turned away. The Jazz are also likely going to either draft A.J. Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson, which is a position of need.
That means they still need a center who can rebound, something Jackson Jr. has struggled with in his career. With that being the case, it’s highly unlikely that Utah would part ways with Kessler. LA can still try, although they have lost a significant number of trade chips.
A bevy of first-round picks will be the best package that the Lakers can offer. With Kessler still on such a team-friendly deal, they likely need to target a different center.
Young Center Named as Top Offseason Trade Target for the Lakers