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The Lakers Can Greatly Help Walker Kessler With These Trades

By RC Nazemion in Lakers News

So far, the Lakers are only two games into the season, but boy, is there a lot to be excited about. Luka looks like Luka, and Austin Reaves has somehow taken yet another leap. The real story for the Lakers thus far has been the unbelievable play of Walker Kessler.

Against the Warriors, Kessler didn’t miss a single shot and approached Lakers greats in his first game. Against the Clippers, he added not only another 22 points on 10/14 shooting, but also six blocks and three steals. Anyone who thought they overpaid for him looks awfully foolish so far.

He’s been exactly what this team needs on both ends. If you’ve watched the games, however, you can see the steep decline when he leaves the floor. Yes, Kevon Looney is still a solid rebounder and sets pretty good screens, but it’s already clear that he can’t be the backup.

If the Lakers don’t want to run Kessler into the ground, they’ll need to find a reliable backup to give him proper rest. Here are some of the best options the Lakers could pursue to go from solid contenders to maybe even championship favorites.

Kel’el Ware

Lakers Receive: Kel’el Ware 

Bucks Receive: Adou Thiero, Jaden Hardy, ’31 & ’32 2nd Round Picks (Via WASH)

This move is a clear and obvious step towards championship contention. Ware is a long 7′ 0″ big who can do nearly everything outside of ball-handling on the court.

So far in his young NBA career, he’s shot 54% from the field and 37% from three, with his career high coming last year in Miami at 39.5% on three attempts per game. His offensive repertoire would be a tough switch-up for defenses to handle after dealing with Kessler.

You pair up having to respect his shooting ability with his length and athleticism, and you might just have some really fun lobs from Luka to Ware.

On the defensive end, he’d pleasantly do many of the same things Kessler does. Obviously not on the same level as Kessler, but after averaging 1.1 BPG throughout his young career, the Lakers would lose very little rim protection in Ware minutes vs. Looney minutes.

All in all, from his near double-double averages to his shooting to his defense, Ware would make this Lakers team truly feared.

Jalen Smith

Lakers Receive: Jalen Smith 

Bulls Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, ’31 2nd Round Pick (Via WASH)

Jalen Smith is an interesting player, and one the Lakers are not new to evaluating. Over the past few seasons and offseasons, the Lakers have done their due diligence in trying to trade for him. It makes sense why they’ve done so.

Smith is one of the better backup big options despite not being all that big. He comes in at just 6’8″, 215 lbs, but he plays much bigger. He’s averaging 14.5 PPG so far this season with the Bulls and would be yet another great scoring punch off the bench like Grimes and Sexton.

He’s not as good of a shooter as Ware, but he has been a fairly reliable option from deep throughout his career, shooting 34% on nearly three attempts per game. His rebounding is a bit concerning career-wise at just 5.5 RPG, but early this season he’s averaging 9.5 RPG, which could signal more to come for a player who’s only 26.

Defensively, Smith isn’t much to write home about as he averages about one stock per game, but again, the goal of this mission isn’t to find another Walker Kessler; it’s to find a Kevon Looney replacement. That role, Smith would assuredly succeed in.

Ryan Kalkbrenner

Lakers Receive: Ryan Kalkbrenner

Hornets Receive: Adou Thiero, ’31 & ’32 2nd Round Picks (Via WASH)

Lastly, we have Ryan Kalkbrenner, who, truthfully, could be the most interesting name on this list. Of all the centers listed here, Kalkbrenner, at least in playstyle, might be the closest match to Kessler.

At 7’1″ and 250+ pounds, Kalkbrenner would provide a true twin-towers look for the Lakers that few teams are able to replicate. To harp on what I mentioned earlier, Kalkbrenner would also be like Walker Kessler-Lite coming off the bench.

The 2nd-year big out of Creighton looked great for Charlotte in his rookie season, averaging 7.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. It’s still very, very early, but through two games this season, although his scoring has taken a bit of a dip, he’s already averaging more blocks and rebounds per game.

He’s extremely efficient too, just like Kessler. Last season, he shot 75% from the field, with many of his buckets coming from in or near the paint. Between Kessler, Reaves, and potentially Kalkbrenner, the Lakers would quickly become the poster boys of efficiency in the NBA.

With Charlotte starting Moussa Diabate, trading for Naz Reid this summer, and drafting Hannes Steinbach this summer, could Kalkbrenner potentially be the easiest of the three to target?

Only time will tell, but if the Lakers are serious about championship contention, a move at backup center must be made. Once again, let’s see what Rob Pelinka has up his sleeve.

RC Nazemi was born with a lifelong passion for the NBA and specifically the Lakers, and he's chosen to utilize his writing skills to share that unbridled passion with you, the fans. Based in Coeur d'Alene, ID, he's currently finishing up a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies with Arizona State University, and he's looking to expand to a larger market and advance in the sports broadcasting/journalism world someday soon.
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