The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for a starting center has hit a snag as Utah’s asking price for Walker Kessler has proven too steep for the front office to meet.
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the Jazz are demanding two first-round picks and a young player in exchange for the 23-year-old big man. Buha reported this during a recent episode of his podcast, adding that the Lakers are unwilling to match those terms.
Kessler is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is slated to make $4.9 million in 2025-26. Despite playing for a Utah team that finished last in the Western Conference with a 17–65 record, the third-year center started all 58 games he appeared in this season, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per contest.
The Lakers, coming off a 50–32 regular season and a first-round playoff exit to the Timberwolves, are actively exploring options to upgrade their frontcourt. Names like Deandre Ayton and Al Horford have surfaced as possible targets, with Ayton recently being bought out and Horford entering the final year of his deal with Boston.
L.A. reportedly offered one first-round pick, a young player, and potential pick swaps, but that proposal falls short of Utah’s demands. Buha suggested the Lakers could attempt to sweeten the offer by removing protections on the 2027 pick or including multiple swap rights, though even that might not be enough to land Kessler.
Kessler’s value is bolstered by his elite rim protection, affordable contract, and youth. Over his first three seasons, he’s averaged 2.4 blocks while shooting 68.0% from the field. His defensive metrics remain strong despite Utah’s struggles as a team.
With limited draft capital and a desire to maintain flexibility, the Lakers must weigh the long-term cost of such a trade against the immediate need for a reliable interior presence.
