LA Lakers Trade Rumors: Insider reveals potential price for 7-foot $2,965,920 shot-blocking machine 

The latest NBA trade buzz around the LA Lakers is circling their interest in acquiring a reliable center to pair with Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. Several names have been floated around as potential targets, including Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler, averaging 2.7 blocks per game. The 7-foot shot blocker is making $2,965,920 this season, making him a realistic target for LA.

However, as simple as the deal seems to match salaries, Utah's potential asking price could be a stumbling block for the Purple and Gold. According to NBA insider Eric Pincus, the Lakers might have to unprotect the 2027 first-round pick and add a 2029 first for the Jazz to negotiate a deal.

Here's what Pincus said about Jazz executive Danny Ainge and his potential tactics with the Lakers on Kessler during Thursday's appearance on "Hoops Talk with Allen Silwa":

"He's [Ainge] not giving the Lakers Walker Kessler easily. They also have the Lakers' pick coming up, so they don't want to make the Lakers better in a couple years, but at the same time, maybe they don't believe in Kessler and that's why they're trading him"

Pincus said the Lakers won't have an issue matching the salary, but the picks are the problem.

"Think they're [Jazz] wanting a new first (round pick)," he said. "And they're probably going to want the Lakers to unprotect one that they already owe (2027)."

The LA Lakers owe the Utah Jazz the 2027 first-round pick with a top-four protection. They agreed on that deal at the 2023 trade deadline in a deal that saw Russell Westbrook head to Utah in a three-team trade. The Lakers acquired D'Angelo Russell (from Minnesota), Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt (both from the Jazz).

Unrptotecting that pick will guarantee the Jazz a chance to draft in the lottery. If the pick falls between No. 1 and No. 4 in 2027, the Lakers will own it. It will be Utah's asset if the pick falls between No. 5 and No. 30.