FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

1. Lauri Markkanen
2. Walker Kessler
3. Deandre Ayton
4. Nic Claxton
5. Clint Capela
6. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
7. Nikola Vucevic
8. Chris Paul
9. Dennis Schroder
10. Robert Williams III

Very interesting article with trades or moves to get each of the 10 players. I especially like Robert Williams trade idea:

Proposed Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Robert Williams

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Shake Milton, 2025 No. 55 Overall Pick

Health caveats aside, Robert Williams posted 5.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 1.7 BLK in only 20 games before knee surgery, shooting 64.1%. Portland could move him with one year left on his deal, given their crowded center room, and the Lakers would be smart to move Jarred Vanderbilt in a potential deal for him.

If you buy the medical reports, Williams is the highest defensive ceiling on the board: a switch-to-the-perimeter big who also deters at the rim. Picture closing lineups of Luka-Reaves-LeBron-Williams. It’s a swing-for-the-fences move, and maybe the last one of the LeBron era.

Knecht, 2030 1st swap, and 2031 unprotected 1st for Kessler Rui, Kleber, 2026 1st swap, and 2028 1st swapGabe Vincent and whatever for LonzoVet min CP3 to orchestrate the bench offenseVet min bigLuka/Reaves/Wiggins/Bron/KesslerCP3/Lonzo/DFS/Vet min bigOmg Rob cooking pic.twitter.com/dyzMvMvB07— Teo 🇲🇰 (@LakeshowTeo) June 10, 2025

Don’t bet the house on any rumors. When was the last time a trade was transparent? AD from NO, I believe. Rob has no reason to show his cards.

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

“Here is the first of many (Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Jazz for Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson). If the Lakers were interested in building up a more balanced roster that would not be as top-heavy, the Utah Jazz are certainly the team to call.”

“In a best-case scenario, the Lakers walk away from this deal with a new starting center, and two veteran pieces that can play strong supporting roles for this team. After struggling to find more than five reliable players in the 2025 postseason, it’s not a bad approach for Los Angeles.”

“The Jazz would hopefully be sold on Reaves’ upside enough to consider him, the 2031 first, and a couple of expiring contracts as ample return for a good haul going back the other way. A career year in Utah could allow AR15 to get his pay day too.”

Caleb Hightower, the source of this proposed, hypothetical trade is a nobody! Move on…..

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

There have been a few centers the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been interested in for some time as they have looked to plug the big hole they have had at the 5. One such player is Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.

Kessler, who will turn 24 years of age on July 26, may not be the supremely athletic, bouncy center the Lakers ideally want. But he’s a force defensively and on the boards, and he’s a strong finisher at the rim and a lob threat, which checks several other boxes on the list of abilities they need in a big man.

He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game while shooting 66.3% from the field this season. Since he only has three years of NBA experience, there is every chance he continues to improve, especially offensively, as time goes on.

The Jazz, according to at least one report, weren’t willing to trade Kessler prior to this year’s trade deadline. But according to NBA reporter Sarah Todd, they will be willing to listen to offers for him and other key players such as former All-Star Lauri Markkanen this summer.

“Numerous league sources have indicated that they believe the Jazz are going to be active over the next several weeks,” wrote Sarah Todd. “Many expect that the Jazz are willing to hear offers that would include draft picks in the 2025 draft as well as players on the Jazz’s current roster.

“Obvious candidates for trade would be John Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, who are all on expiring deals as of the 2025-26 season, but league sources have said that they expect for conversations to include Walker Kessler (who is extension eligible) and Lauri Markkanen.”

Kessler will make a shade under $5 million next season, so acquiring him may not cost Los Angeles a lot in the way of players. However, one would have to expect the Jazz to ask for significant draft compensation, which means a third team may need to get involved.

It is also worth mentioning that the chief executive officer of the Jazz is Danny Ainge, the former Boston Celtics guard who played in three NBA Finals against the Lakers in the mid-1980s. Although Ainge participated in February’s Luka Doncic trade by bringing in Utah as a third team, it is not easy to imagine him doing his old rivals a solid by sending them Kessler at a fair price.

lol… LT this trade is a defensive nightmare. You think pairing Luka and Reaves is bad? Markkanen is not a plus defender and he’s not a good rebounder. He puts up OK stats on a bad team and is hurt. All. The. Time.

Plus you just traded away just about every guard we have and every single pick. We’d be big, slow and bad at defense. Rui is better than LM at this point, for the money.

Hard pass.

ANOTHER FINALS 30-PIECE FOR SGA ‼️⚡️ 34 PTS⚡️ 8 AST⚡️ 5 REB⚡️ 4 STL & 1 BLK72 PTS through his first 2 Finals games, THE MOST in NBA history 🌟 pic.twitter.com/kdUtf5iqcq— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2025

Ahhhh my favorite time of year…when everyone who bashes the midrange game suddenly comes out of the woodwork to praise the skill and usefulness of the midrange game. Classic.

SGA did all that without relying on the 3 ball (1-4). Instead he relied on midrange pull ups off the dribble and slicing into the paint. Kobe 2.0, people, and the Clippers traded him for a broken down, busted up Paul George lol.

🏆 PLAYOFF BRACKET 🏆The Thunder even the series, 1-1 #NBAFinals #NBAAfrica pic.twitter.com/pnafj7iFOg— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) June 9, 2025

F.U.N.D.A.M.E.N.T.A.L.S.