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With the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the busier teams. Rob Pelinka has already acquired Dorian Finney-Smith in a four-player trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
Nevertheless, thay trade could be a precursor to what’s to come. The Lakers need to add more depth at the center. Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes have failed to establish themselves as legitimate difference-makers within the Lakers’ rotation.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, a move for Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz could make sense. Pincus even provided a framework for a potential deal between the two franchises. The trade looks like this:
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz receive: Christian Wood, the removal of top-4 protection on the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
“Kessler would give coach JJ Redick the flexibility to play another rim-protecting big alongside Anthony Davis, depending on matchups,” Pincus explained. “That’s not currently an option, and the lack of size seemed to show up most over the last two postseasons against the Denver Nuggets. Kessler, 23, is still young and inexpensive next year at $4.9 million. With this and the recent trade with the Nets, the Lakers would have tremendous size and depth at the big positions.”
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz receive: Christian Wood, the removal of top-4 protection on the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
“Kessler would give coach JJ Redick the flexibility to play another rim-protecting big alongside Anthony Davis, depending on matchups,” Pincus explained. “That’s not currently an option, and the lack of size seemed to show up most over the last two postseasons against the Denver Nuggets. Kessler, 23, is still young and inexpensive next year at $4.9 million. With this and the recent trade with the Nets, the Lakers would have tremendous size and depth at the big positions.”
“Having acquired the wing defender they sought in Finney-Smith, the next item for the Lakers on their list is a backup center,” Scotto reported. “The Lakers will continue to try and acquire Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas or another backup center on the trade market with their remaining future second-round draft capital, and Gabe Vincent is expected to be dangled in talks as well, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Similarly to Walker, Valanciunas is a physically imposing big man who excels on the glass and can protect the rim. However, he is also a better floor-spacer due to his ability to knock down three-point shots. Given his ability to play on the perimeter, the Lakers may see him as an ideal fit next to Anthony Davis.
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