Lakers Land Walker Kessler to Build Around Luka Sport By lines July 2, 2026 The Los Angeles Lakers landed center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz on July 1. The trade reshapes a roster now built around Luka Doncic. Los Angeles paid four draft assets to close the deal. Los Angeles Bets Its Draft Future on Kessler Utah sent Walker Kessler to Los Angeles for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033. The Jazz also collected first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Walker Kessler is expected to sign a four-year, $130 million extension with the Lakers. Utah had drafted Kessler 22nd overall back in 2022. The deal closed on July 1, one day into the free agency window. The Lakers did not stop at the Walker Kessler trade. Los Angeles agreed to sign guard Collin Sexton for two years and $19 million. The Lakers also added Quentin Grimes on a four-year, $60 million deal. Forward Sandro Mamukelashvili joined on a four-year contract worth $52 million. Those four moves cost the Lakers more than $260 million in fresh commitments. The spending follows LeBron James informing the Lakers he will leave after eight seasons. LeBron James cannot sign with a new team until the moratorium lifts on July 6. Los Angeles needed a rim-running, shot-blocking center to pair with Luka Doncic. Walker Kessler fills that role for a team pivoting to the Luka Doncic era. CBS Sports graded the Lakers a C plus and called the trade a necessary overpay. The price stings for a Lakers front office already thin on draft picks. Los Angeles surrendered unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 to complete the Walker Kessler trade. The swaps in 2028 and 2030 further drain the draft cupboard. Los Angeles now leans on a win-now core of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Austin Reaves re-signed this offseason on a record deal worth $185 million. Utah walks away as a big winner in the eyes of most analysts. The Jazz turned one center into four future first-round assets. That return accelerates a Utah rebuild already loaded with young talent. The Jazz now hold unprotected Lakers first-rounders in 2031 and 2033. CBS Sports and SI both praised Utah for maximizing the return. The NBA moratorium lifts on July 6, when every signing becomes official. Watch how Walker Kessler fits alongside Luka Doncic in the pick-and-roll. Kessler gives Doncic the lob threat and rim protection Los Angeles lacked last season. The Lakers have committed four future first-round assets and $260 million to this reboot. Los Angeles opens the Luka Doncic era chasing a loaded Western Conference. Related Sports Coverage NBA Free Agency Day 1: LeBron Out, Wiggins Cashes In Lakers Re-Sign Austin Reaves to Record $185M Deal Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown to 76ers for Paul George ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the Walker Kessler trade terms and the Lakers signings. CBS Sports and NBA.com confirmed the deal and the contract figures.
