Lakers could acquire $13.3 million Jazz star to prevent LeBron from retiring

There’s no guarantee that LeBron James will complete another season in the most competitive basketball league in the world.

When asked about his future in the NBA, James adopted a ‘we’ll see’ approach, sparking speculation.

If Los Angeles wants to convince the four-time NBA champion to stick around for another year or two, it could acquire a Utah Jazz star center capable of doing damage on both ends. 

"Walker Kessler is another frequent Laker target,” CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn wrote Thursday.

"His rim-protection is elite, and while he's not exactly suited to a switch-heavy scheme, he's not a total perimeter slouch either. He can move. His offense, outside of rebounding, is a work in progress.”

"He's dipped his toe into three-point shooting with underwhelming results, and he's a straight-up bad free-throw shooter. He's almost impossible to judge as a pick-and-roll player, though, because the Jazz have never consistently had even average guard play during his career.”

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

“If the Jazz want to keep him, they'll extend him. If they draft a big man in June? Maybe he's gettable, and, like Williams, he's still on a rookie deal with a low 2026 cap hold.”

Kessler continues to exhibit promise in a Jazz uniform. Despite beginning his NBA career in an uncompetitive environment, the Auburn product is maximizing the opportunity to develop into an All-Star. 

The Lakers are missing an elite interior defender and rebounder with enough offensive skills to keep opponents on their toes, and Kessler undoubtedly fits the bill.

In 58 regular-season contests, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game with the 17-65 Jazz this year. 

To acquire Kessler this season, the Lakers should be prepared to send Dalton Knecht and draft capital to Utah to complete a blockbuster deal.

It would be in the Lakers’ best interest to view Kessler as a priority trade target this summer.

More NBA: Lakers predicted to part with Luka Doncic, reunite with $117 million three-time All-Star