The perfect Lakers trade offer for Walker Kessler
Despite many rumors entering this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers have been quiet this offseason. The Lakers may have missed their “dream offseason,” but they can make moves to upgrade their roster.
Rob Pelinka and the front office missed on Klay Thompson, Jonas Valanciunas, and DeMar DeRozan in free agency while also missing on Dejounte Murray via trade.
As the second week of free agency is underway, there are free agents and trade options that could elevate this team.
A center trade target who could fit well is Walker Kessler. The Utah Jazz are shopping the 22-year-old center, and Pelinka should make an offer.
With that said, here is the perfect Lakers trade offer for Walker Kessler.
Walker Kessler was the #2 Shot Blocker in the NBA last season (behind Wemby), avg 2.4 blks in ONLY 23mpg.
He was #4 in Blks as a ROOKIE, avg 2.3 Blks in 23mpg.
He avgs 13pts | 12 reb | 3.7 blks Per36.
People do not understand how good this dude is.pic.twitter.com/rOzROiwjNh
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) July 9, 2024
Lakers land Kessler next to AD
Jazz receive: Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, a 2027 first-round pick (remove top four protection), and a 2029 first-round pick swap
Lakers receive: Walker Kessler
This deal could land Kessler, a young center who could fit well alongside Anthony Davis. The Jazz would receive a young player in Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent, and draft capital.
Hood-Schifino could develop as a young player in Utah, while Reddish could earn a rotational role as the former lottery pick is only 24 years old. Vincent, who was injured for most of the season, could recoup his value and be flipped at the trade deadline.
The major benefit for the Jazz would be getting the top four protection removed on the Lakers 2027 first-round pick. This pick came from the three-team deal at the 2023 trade deadline when LA acquired D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley.
The Jazz would also get a 2029 first-round pick swap, which could be valuable in the post-LeBron-AD era.
Kessler is a quality young center for the Lakers whose shot-blocking and rebounding complement Davis.
The seven-footer averaged 8/8/1 with 2.4 blocks per game, with 65/21/60 shooting splits.
Kessler has two years remaining on his rookie contract, which keeps him under team control and at a cheap price. The 22-year-old will make a little shy of $3 million in the upcoming season.
Kessler would be a great backup center behind Davis or could start alongside him if they opt to move Davis back to power forward.
The Lakers have turned their attention to Spencer Dinwiddie and Gary Trent Jr. in the wake of LeBron’s pay cut 👀
(via @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/2nEbBMr19r
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 7, 2024
Lakers deal opens up roster spots/saves money
Although acquiring Kessler, a center who can be impactful now and in the future, is a big reason to complete this deal, the added benefit is saving money and opening up two roster spots.
The Lakers’ current roster is full, with 15 players, which is why a deal like this would be highly beneficial.
This would save about $14.3 million in cap space and open up the taxpayer midlevel exception ($5.2 million). LeBron James, who is taking a few million below the max, opened up this opportunity, as the Lakers didn’t exceed the second apron.
This allows the Purple and Gold to offer Gary Trent Jr., the TPMLE, who would fit well next to Austin Reaves in the backcourt.
Trent Jr. averaged 14/3/2 with 1.1 steals per game on 43/39/77 shooting splits.
The 25-year-old wing is a quality defender and shooter who fits the roster and in JJ Redick’s system.
Spencer Dinwiddie is another player the Lakers could target. Dinwiddie appeared in 28 games for LA, averaging 7/2/2 on 40/39/81 shooting splits.
With Vincent being moved in this trade, the Lakers need another backup point guard. Dinwiddie, who is familiar with the team, could be an ideal signing on a veteran minimum contract.
Rob Pelinka and the front office need to do some work to elevate this team to contenders in the Western Conference.
Acquiring a young center in Kessler while opening roster spots and cap space is an ideal trade for the Lakers.
The LakeShow would maintain flexibility for another trade, as they could use a combination of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt’s contracts to make another deal.
The Lakers acquiring Kessler could be the first step in turning this offseason around.
