Walker Kessler's time with the Utah Jazz has come to an end. Chris Gardner / Getty ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 11:55 am EDTThe Utah Jazz are trading starting center Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.As part of the deal, the Lakers are sending Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler, a restricted free agent, is set to sign a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers, according to a league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not finalized.Kessler and the Jazz had been in contract talks, and the two sides met in person in early June, but those discussions didn’t go very far toward a resolution. Once it became clear Kessler and the Jazz wouldn’t come to an agreement, Utah made steps to move the center, and he’ll now team up with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on a revamped Lakers roster that won’t include LeBron James.
Having first come to Utah in the trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kessler quickly established himself as one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Offensively, he became the kind of lob threat almost every guard wants to play with. But his time with the Jazz has been checkered. In his second season, he split time at the center spot with John Collins. In his fourth year, a shoulder injury cost him practically the entire season.Does tanking actually work? Here's what history shows.Zach HarperStill, Kessler, who turns 25 in July, had shown enough that he was considered a prime piece of Utah’s future. His ability to protect the rim is rare. He’s one of the few players in the league capable of blocking shots adeptly with both hands. He was a member of the All-Rookie team in his inaugural season in Utah.But Kessler and the Jazz could never find common ground. Utah declined to extend Kessler last year for financial reasons. Several teams over the years have made overtures for Kessler in potential trade talks, talks the Jazz had rebuffed. And several teams were waiting in the wings this offseason.Jul 1, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
