The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new era, with a new ownership group set to assume control in due time. The Lakers’ current regime, the Buss family, can close their tenure with a bang amid rumors that they have already held trade talks about multiple big men.
Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune relayed his belief that the Lakers and Utah Jazz have been in contact about center Walker Kessler and forward John Collins.
Moreover, Larsen said the Lakers have an offer of “multiple picks” ready for Kessler.
“I think there’s been an offer presented for Walker Kessler,” Larsen said on the “Locked On Jazz” podcast on June 18. “The Lakers have shown significant interest all the way back to the trade deadline, certainly continuing now. And him being their future of the center, giving up multiple picks to get there, that is on the table right now. I don’t know if the Jazz take it. Certainly, they haven’t so far. So, we’ll see what happens with it.”
Walker Kessler 16 PTS- 8 REB- 6 BLK vs the Lakers in February
Two-way monster 😈
Kessler, who turns 24 in July, was the No. 22 overall pick of the 2022 draft. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors and has averaged 2.4 blocks per game for his career. That is the most among all players with at least 196 appearances since he entered the NBA, per Stathead.
Kessler averaged career-highs with 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists during the 2024-25 regular season.
A trade for Kessler also fits the timeline of Lakers’ star Luka Doncic, who has wanted a center.
Lakers Had Trade Talks Over High-Flying Big Man
GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers are keeping their options open on the trade market, which could prove wise given what the Jazz could ask in return for Kessler. That is, if they entertain trading him at all this offseason.
According to Larsen, the Lakers have also had trade talks with the Jazz about Collins, whom the Jazz acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in 2023.
“John Collins, I think is, has been a conversation that’s been had,” Larsen said.
John Collins elevates for the double-pump slam!
📺 Jazz-Spurs on NBA TV
Collins was the No. 19 overall pick of the 2017 draft by the Hawks. A springy tweener, Collins’ 19.0 PPG in 2024-25 was his best mark since 2019-20. His 39.9% clip from deep was his best since 2020-21 when he helped the Hawks reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Lakers Must Weigh Several Critical Factors in Potential Deal With Jazz
GettyRui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz.
Collins is the more expensive of the two options, carrying a $26.6 million cap hit in the final year of a five-year, $125 million contract.
He is also older, turning 28 in September, and has battled injuries for most of his career.
Kessler is younger, taller, a better rim protector, etc. However, all of that means his cost figures to be higher, and his small salary could further complicate matters. Kessler is in the final year of a four-year, $13.4 million pact with a $4.8 million cap hit.
Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht could anchor a package centered around more draft capital for Kessler.
Well hello Walker Kessler!
LA could try Dorian Finney-Smith or Rui Hachimura with less capital and filler for Collins.
Without a first-round pick in this year’s draft and limited flexibility in free agency, the Lakers’ best bet to address their need for a center or general frontcourt help could be to make a trade this offseason, be it for Collins, Kessler, or someone else.
