Lakers trade two firsts, swaps for Jazz center Kessler
LA adds rim-protecting anchor Walker Kessler in a blockbuster deal, then locks up Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili to reshape the roster for a championship push.
LA adds rim-protecting anchor Walker Kessler in a blockbuster deal, then locks up Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili to reshape the roster for a championship push.
The Los Angeles Lakers completed a seismic defensive upgrade by acquiring center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in exchange for two unprotected first-round picks and two future draft swaps. The blockbuster trade cements Kessler as the anchor of LA’s frontcourt, immediately addressing the team’s longstanding rim-protection issues. The Lakers didn’t stop there: they also signed Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili to bolster scoring, depth, and versatility across the roster.
2 blocks per game last season. The deal reshapes Utah’s rebuild around Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler’s rim-running presence, while LA’s aggressive push for defensive identity takes a dramatic leap forward. The Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, executed the move to pair Kessler with Anthony Davis and LeBron James, creating a frontcourt that can erase mistakes at the rim.
Beyond Kessler, the Lakers added three free agents to patch roster holes. Quentin Grimes, a 6’5” wing with playoff experience, provides perimeter defense and three-and-D utility. Collin Sexton returns to LA with a two-year, $30 million deal, offering a high-volume scorer off the bench to offset the loss of Austin Reaves’ production.
Sandro Mamukelashvili adds frontcourt depth and a reliable mid-range shot, giving the Lakers options when Davis or Rui Hachimura sit. Kessler’s arrival marks the latest in a series of defensive-minded moves by the Lakers, who have prioritized rim protection since the departure of Dwight Howard in 2013. 1% block rate last season that placed him in the 99th percentile.
For a franchise that has struggled to contain paint penetration in critical moments, Kessler’s presence forces opponents to alter their offensive schemes, freeing up Davis to roam the perimeter without fear of leaving the rim exposed. The Lakers’ roster overhaul also reflects a broader league trend: teams are increasingly valuing defensive anchors who can anchor multiple lineup configurations. Kessler’s ability to switch onto guards in pick-and-rolls while still protecting the rim makes him a rare two-way asset.
His pairing with Davis—a player who excels at switching onto smaller forwards—creates a frontcourt that can stifle opposing offenses without sacrificing spacing. The additions were met with cautious optimism from analysts tracking the Lakers’ roster construction. “Kessler changes the defensive geometry for LA,” said one NBA insider.
“He’s not just a rim protector—he alters shots before they even leave the shooter’s hand. ” The moves also reflect a strategic pivot toward playoff-ready depth, with Pelinka prioritizing role players who fit the championship window around LeBron and Davis. Kessler’s impact extends beyond traditional statistics.
His presence alone changes how opposing teams operate, forcing big men to hesitate before driving and guards to reconsider mid-range jumpers. 7 points per 100 possessions when Kessler was on the court last season, per NBA Advanced Stats. For a team that ranked 18th in defensive efficiency in 2023-24, that margin could be the difference between playoff exits and deep postseason runs.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are betting on Markkanen as their franchise cornerstone. Kessler’s departure leaves a void at center, but Utah’s front office clearly values Markkanen’s offensive versatility and Kessler’s defensive upside as the foundation of their rebuild. The draft capital acquired—two unprotected firsts and swaps—gives them flexibility to address other needs, though the loss of Kessler’s rim protection could expose weaknesses in their defensive schemes.
What’s next: The Lakers will finalize medicals and contracts before training camp, with Kessler expected to start immediately alongside Davis. The Jazz, meanwhile, will rebuild around Markkanen with the draft capital acquired. The Lakers’ roster overhaul signals a win-now mentality, but the early returns will hinge on chemistry, health, and whether Kessler’s rim protection translates to postseason success. Read at ESPN
The Lakers have reset their championship timeline by addressing two critical weaknesses: rim protection and wing scoring. Kessler’s arrival transforms LA’s defensive identity, while Grimes, Sexton, and Mamukelashvili provide the firepower and depth needed to complement LeBron and Davis in a loaded Western Conference. The price—two unprotected firsts and swaps—is steep, but the Lakers are betting that Kessler’s elite shot-blocking and the trio’s complementary skill sets will justify the cost by delivering a title in the next two seasons. The trade also underscores the franchise’s willingness to mortgage future assets for a championship push, a strategy that has yielded mixed results in recent years but may pay off with LeBron’s twilight-season experience guiding a revamped roster. The Jazz, meanwhile, are gambling on Markkanen’s offensive ceiling while absorbing the defensive regression that comes with Kessler’s departure.
ESPNespn.com2 Jul, 11:26en
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