The Los Angeles Lakers face a critical offseason if they hope to contend for the 2025-26 NBA championship. One of their biggest needs? A reliable frontcourt presence to support Luka Doncic—or even replace him if necessary. A proposed trade with the Utah Jazz could be the solution.
The Los Angeles Lakers struggled with depth in the 2025 postseason, often relying too heavily on their star players. A trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler could provide the balance they need
According to Svyatoslav Rovenchuk of Lake Show Life, a potential deal could send Lakers guard Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to Utah in exchange for Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson
“It’s about that time of the year to cook up mock trades,” Rovenchuk wrote. “If the Lakers were interested in building up a more balanced roster that would not be as top-heavy, the Utah Jazz are certainly the team to call.” (H/t: Sporting News
Walker Kessler, a 7-foot-1 center, has shown steady growth in his three NBA seasons. His strengths include
According to Caleb Hightower of Sporting News, Austin Reaves had a career-best regular season, silencing critics who doubted his ability as a primary scorer. However, his playoff performance dipped, raising questions about his consistency in high-pressure situations.
Austin Reaves’ 2024-25 Regular Season vs. Playoffs:
Despite his postseason struggles, Austin Reaves remains a valuable trade asset. As Rovenchuk noted: “A career year in Utah could allow AR15 to get his pay day too.
For Utah, this deal makes sense if they’re looking to rebuild around younger talent. The trade package includes:
The Los Angeles Lakers need roster balance, and Walker Kessler’s defensive presence would address their frontcourt issues. Meanwhile, Reaves could thrive in a bigger role with the Jazz.
As Rovenchuk put it: “In a best-case scenario, the Lakers walk away from this deal with a new starting center, and two veteran pieces that can play strong supporting roles for this team
