Lakers named losers of Jaylen Brown-76ers blockbuster trade for Walker Kessler reason

The Philadelphia 76ers’ blockbuster trade for former Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown won’t just positively or negatively impact the two teams involved. 

According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t benefit from the stunning Wednesday evening transaction for a Walker Kessler reason.

“So the Sixers scooped up Jaylen Brown—an All-NBA player still in his prime—for the grand total of two first-round picks and a Paul George contract that 99 out of 100 people believed would need first-round sweeteners to move on its own (the deal also sent two second-round picks to the Celtics),” Favale wrote.

“Somebody better check on the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers front offices. "Giving up an unprotected 2033 first-rounder for Miles Bridges and a 2029 first-rounder likely to convey in the 20s was always an astoundingly asinine move by the Suns." 

“Lakers team president Rob Pelinka, meanwhile, continues to show he's ill-equipped to negotiate trades with anyone other than former lead Dallas Mavericks executive Nico Harrison. Los Angeles just surrendered control of four first-rounders—outrights in 2031 and 2033, swaps in 2028 and 2030—for the right to pay Walker Kessler $130 million after he missed all but five games last season with a shoulder injury.

“To be fair, Kessler could pan out perfectly for the Lakers. To be even fairer, that doesn't negate what was clearly poor asset management.”

Essentially, in Favale’s opinion, the Lakers are in the same boat as the Celtics, as they were also fleeced in a notable trade. To Favale’s point, though, there’s a chance could exceed expectations in Los Angeles and perform like the game-changing center the franchise desperately needs to capture their first championship since 2020. 

After all, the Auburn product is a near surefire finisher around the rim through four seasons and isn’t the type of interior defender that opponents should feel comfortable attacking regularly. 

That said, mortgaging their future for Kessler is far from a safe move, and if things don’t go as planned, the ‘massive overpay’ crowd will be louder than ever.

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