Walker Kessler sends clear message to Lakers after sign-and-trade, Luka Doncic recruitment

Walker Kessler is embarking on a new NBA journey after spending four eventful seasons with the Jazz. 

The gifted 7-foot-2 center is joining the Los Angeles Lakers via a sign-and-trade that will earn him $130 million over four years and send two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Jazz. On Monday, Kessler sent a clear message to the Lakers after landing with the organization in a blockbuster deal and being recruited by Luka Doncic.

"It makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you," Kessler told ESPN’s Ben Golliver. "With what (the Lakers) have invested, they're showing that belief, in a monetary value, not just with money, but in (draft) assets. If I know they have that belief in me, I'm going to run through a brick wall for them. That's how I've been wired my whole life.”

Kessler’s sentiment towards Los Angeles makes perfect sense, as the 17-time NBA champions put themselves in a financial bind to add him to the fold this summer (they have zero tradeable first-round picks for the next seven years). The Auburn product virtually has no choice but to put his best foot forward and avoid attending the Deandre Ayton school of mediocrity, considering the Lakers have made a sizable investment in him.

It would also be devastating to witness the former first-round pick let Doncic down after he reportedly pushed hard for the Lakers to acquire him this summer.

"Kessler was the franchise center Doncic wanted so badly, and from the people I’ve spoken to, I can confirm he pushed hard for this move,” Digginbasketball’s Iztok Franco reported on July 2.

Kessler’s pick-and-roll fluidity, reliable transition scoring, back-to-the-basket patience, and high-caliber rim protection should make him the best center the Lakers have employed since Anthony Davis. The 2020 McDonald’s All-American averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks with the Jazz in 201 games, shooting 68.1% from the field.

It remains to be seen if Kessler will live up to the hype, though.

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