The Los Angeles Lakers need a long-term solution at the big man position. Luka Doncic is at his best when paired with a rim-running lob threat. However, he could also thrive with a physically dominant big who controls the paint.
Rob Pelinka will undoubtedly be casting a wide net in his search for the next center tasked with anchoring the Lakers in the middle of the floor. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, speaking via ESPN Radio 700, the Lakers remain “intrigued” by Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.
“The only thing on that front…is that Walker Kessler remains a name the Lakers are intrigued by,” McMenamin said. “Whether that will lead to any sort of deal, obviously, last year, the asking price was too steep, and, obviously, the Lakers ended up pivoting those assets that they were considering moving to the Jazz to get Kessler in order to do the Luka trade. That came off the table after the Luka trade. If they do revisit it, that remains a player that the Lakers feel could fil the void that they have at center. I’m not reporting anything’s moving towards [a deal] or picking up steam or anything like that, but Kessler remains on the Lakers’ radar.”
Kessler, 23, averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds last season. He shot 66.3% from the field, although his free-throw shooting should be a concern at just 52%. While Kessler isn’t a “jump out of the gym” style of big, he could dominate the paint when working with Doncic and LeBron James.
Kessler Would be an Ambitious Target for the Lakers
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes named Kessler as an “ambitious” target for the Lakers.
“Walker Kessler has ranked in the 95th percentile or better in block rate among big men in each of his first three seasons,” Hughes wrote.” That kind of interior presence would transform a Los Angeles Lakers team that ranked 21st in blocks per 100 possessions and 25th in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim last year.”
Hughes continued.
“In addition to protecting the rim for a team that doesn’t currently have a starting-caliber center on the roster, Kessler could juice the offense with his league-leading 4.6 offensive boards per game and dangerous lob-catching skills.”
Austin Ainge was recently hired as the Utah Jazz’s new President of Basketball Operations. He is unlikely to part with one of the team’s best players. As such, Pelinka would need to be equally aggressive and creative in his negotiations for Kessler; otherwise, the Lakers should turn their attention elsewhere.
Brook Lopez is Another Option for Lakers
If the Lakers can’t pry Kessler out of Utah, they may look toward a stop-gap solution. Brook Lopez could fill that void. The veteran big man is a Los Angeles native and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Lopez may have lost a step in terms of pace, but he’s still a reliable perimeter shooter and shot-blocker. In 80 games last season, he averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He shot 37.3% from deep on 4.7 attempts per game and 63.6% from 2-point range. Lopez previously played for the Lakers during the 2017-18 season.
Therefore, a reunion could make sense for both parties, at least in the short term.
