The Los Angeles Lakers have navigated a somewhat inconsistent first half of the 2024-25 NBA season, currently occupying sixth place in the Western Conference. Despite their occasional struggles, the team has consistently relied on the continued brilliance of LeBron James to propel them forward.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers, like many teams featuring LeBron James, have become a focal point of trade speculation. Fans and analysts alike are urging General Manager Rob Pelinka to utilize the team’s remaining assets, including valuable future draft picks, to acquire impactful players and maximize the team’s championship window while LeBron remains at the peak of his powers.
This period of intense Lakers trade rumors is a familiar occurrence for the team.
Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest on Walker Kessler Trade
Walker Kessler, the Utah Jazz center, has been a frequent subject of trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers. However, recent reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania on First Take suggest that acquiring Kessler may prove to be a challenging endeavor.
Charania’s report indicates that the Jazz are likely to demand a substantial return for Kessler, potentially shutting the door on the Lakers.
“They do have some players on this roster–Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, players like Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish–how do you figure out a way to consolidate talent?” Charania said.
“…Every time they call on Walker Kessler in Utah, that asking price is really high. So that front office is trying to make calls, doing due diligence, but at the end of the day, it takes two teams to tango.”
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In just his third NBA season, Kessler has emerged as a defensive stalwart, solidifying his position as one of the league’s premier rebounders and shot blockers. While his offensive game still requires refinement, his defensive impact is undeniable.
Acquiring Kessler would provide the Lakers with several strategic advantages. It would allow Anthony Davis, who has publicly expressed his desire to play power forward, to shift to his more natural position. Moreover, Kessler’s size and defensive prowess would significantly bolster the Lakers’ interior defense, enabling them to better compete with larger and more physical teams like the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers’ front office has not publicly indicated a willingness to significantly deplete the team’s future assets in pursuit of immediate championship contention. This approach is frustrating for LeBron James, who is still currently playing at an exceptionally high level for a player of his age and undoubtedly desires to maximize the team’s chances of winning another title during this peak period of his career.