The Los Angeles Lakers made a major investment in Walker Kessler, acquiring the center in a sign-and-trade with Utah and giving him a four-year, $130 million contract.
Los Angeles surrendered two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps in the deal, reportedly after Luka Dončić made it clear he wanted Kessler as his center.
The move leaves the Lakers without a tradable first-round pick for the next seven years.
Kessler has established himself as a strong rebounder and rim protector, averaging 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for his career while shooting 68.1% from the field.
However, he played only five games last season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Given the price Los Angeles paid, Kessler will be expected to anchor the defense while providing effective screening for Dončić and Austin Reaves.
“It definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,” Kessler said during his introductory news conference in Las Vegas in July.
“And I think what they’ve invested, they’re showing that belief in a monetary value, not just with money, but … assets. And for me, I’m somebody that if I know that they have that belief in me, I’m gonna run through a brick wall for them. That’s just how I’ve been wired my whole life.”
The Lakers will be counting on Kessler to develop into an All-Defensive-caliber center and become a major part of their core alongside Dončić and Reaves.
