NBA Rumors: Lakers closing in on Jazz's $13 million center to bolster frontcourt

The Los Angeles Lakers have kicked their season off with a 2-0 record through their first two games of the 2024-25 campaign. This is the first time the Lakers have started the season 2-0 since the 2010-11 season.

Los Angeles rallied to complete a 22-point comeback to beat the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James leading the way. While the Lakers' offensive struggles have improved under first-year head coach JJ Redick, they still have some questions surrounding their roster makeup, including frontcourt depth.

After failing to bulk up their frontcourt in the offseason, the Lakers have set their sights on the trade market and have reportedly landed on a trade target. On Saturday, The Athletic reported that Los Angeles has looked into a potential trade for third-year big man Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.

Kessler would be a strong addition to the Los Angeles' frontcourt and help the Lakers' starting rotation alongside Anthony Davis. Adding Kessler would allow Davis to return to his preferred role as a power forward instead of roaming the paint as a center, sliding Rui Hachimura to the bench.

He could also significantly bolster Los Angeles' interior defense as a defensive anchor in the post, allowing Davis to utilize his defensive versatility.

Walker Kessler re-emerges as Lakers trade candidate

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz - Source: Imagn

Walker Kessler has been a name linked to the Lakers dating back to last season. Los Angeles eyed Kessler ahead of last season's trade deadline, but official negotiations were never reported.

He was also a name tossed around the Lakers rumor mill throughout the offseason, but similar to last season, negotiations for the 2022 first-round pick never took off. This season's reports of Los Angeles' interest in Kessler feel more authentic, given the team is just two games into their season with the trade deadline months away.

In two games this season, the Jazz big man is averaging 9.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and an eye-popping 3.0 blocks per game on 87.5% shooting. Kessler's pricetag is unclear at this time, but Los Angeles should be more than willing to sacrifice its 2026 and 2028 first-round picks to add the center.