Lakers prepared to steal $13.3 million shot blocking star from Jazz, per report

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t dragging their feet to begin the offseason. 

According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Los Angeles is prepared to steal a 7-foot-2 shot-blocking star from the Utah Jazz to give Luka Doncic his dream big man.

“It looks like Walker Kessler recently followed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on Instagram as he’s set to become a restricted free agent,” Sidery wrote on X/Twitter Thursday.

“The Lakers are preparing to pursue Kessler as one of their top center targets, but it will take a lucrative sign-and-trade with the Jazz.”

Following an impressive 11.4-point, 4.6 block campaign with Auburn during what turned out to be his final collegiate season, Kessler was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 22 overall pick. However, the Grizzlies traded him to the Jazz before the start of the 2022-23 season, and the Atlanta, Georgia native hasn’t disappointed with the bottom-feeding Western Conference franchise.

From being a surefire finisher around the rim regardless of ball placement to exhibiting the fearlessness and timing necessary to be an exceptional shot blocker, Kessler has shown he’s indeed the real deal through the four seasons (he’s averaging 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 68.1% from the field in 201 contests).

The Lakers have had their sights set on Kessler for a while, and with Los Angeles losing Anthony Davis and failing to replace him with a big man who consistently performs at a high level, landing Kessler should be a bigger priority than ever. 

If a sign-and-trade is what it’ll take to lure Kessler from Utah, the Lakers should be up for the challenge.

More NBA news:

• Spurs predicted to cut ties with $229 million point guard after all-time NBA Finals blunder

• Spurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion

• Luka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore