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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported in mid-June that before Luka Doncic left for the summer, he made one request to the Los Angeles Lakers: go get me an "A-list" center. He added that's what Doncic believes he needs to compete for an NBA championship, and with the Lakers building this new era without LeBron James, what Doncic wants, Doncic gets.
And on Wednesday morning, Doncic got his wish.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Lakers have acquired Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal that sends two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 back to Utah. Kessler reportedly plans to sign a four-year, $130 million contract to remain with the Lakers through 2030.
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Jalen Duren and Kessler were both at the top of the Lakers' wish list, but the Jazz center was arguably the better fit.
At 7-foot-2, the former No. 22 overall pick in 2022 has quickly emerged as one of the NBA's premier rim protectors. In 2024-25, he averaged 11.1 points, a career-high 12.2 rebounds (fifth in the NBA), and league-leading 2.4 blocks per game, while shooting 66.3% from the floor. Last season was cut short due to season-ending left shoulder surgery, but he still averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in five games, shooting 70.3% from the floor.
Kessler is one of the best screen-and-roll bigs and rebounders in basketball, exactly the kind of paint-protecting lob threat Doncic thrived with in Dallas alongside Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
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Deandre Ayton is reportedly also set to return to LA, opting into his $8.1 million player option. But Kessler will take the starting job, and if healthy, he immediately shifts the Lakers' title hopes.
LA may have lost LeBron James, but this is the first step to making them a legitimate contender next season, with a core built around Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Kessler, along with whoever else they add in free agency.
Charania also reported the Lakers have signed stretch big Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal, scoring wing Quinten Grimes to a four-year, $60 million deal, and explosive guard Collin Sexton to a two-year, $19 million deal. And more moves could be on the way.
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