1 Ambitious Trade Target for Every NBA Teamhttps://t.co/Rag0YbWKeh via @BleacherReport— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 13, 2025
1 Ambitious Trade Target for Every NBA Team
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June 13, 2025 3 Comments
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FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:
Los Angeles Lakers: Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler has ranked in the 95th percentile or better in block rate among big men in each of his first three seasons. 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.
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.
Luka Dončić thrives when he has a vertical spacer at the 5, and Kessler’s 132 dunks last season were the most of any player who logged fewer than 60 games.
Kessler is still on his rookie-scale deal, and the Utah Jazz shouldn’t be in the business of shipping out young players who’ve already proved themselves as starters. But if the Lakers were willing to give up a first-round pick, a pick swap and Dalton Knecht for Mark Williams, they shouldn’t have any problem surrendering at least that much for Kessler.
They’d trade that package. Ainge will not.
Danny was listening to trade proposals last summer because Kessler regressed some from his Rookie year. Still he was asking for 2 first round picks and the Lakers wouldn’t do it. Now last year Kessler had a breakout year. Not sure why anyone thinks that the Lakers can get him now for one pick and Dalton. I doubt that the Jazz trade him but if they do it will be more than what the Lakers can offer.