The Lakers traded with Utah for Walker Kessler because, Rob Pelinka said, 25-year-old two-way centers suited to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are scarce; he called Kessler a needed defensive rim protector and said he was confident in the deal.
Pelinka said the offseason plan was to make the roster younger and deeper around Doncic and Reaves, and that comparable centers were not available through the draft or free agency. LeBron James’ decision not to return opened the way for the Lakers to build around the two, according to the article.
An injury kept Kessler out of most of Utah’s 2025-26 season. The article calls it the main question about him and says the Lakers hope the injury is behind him.
