The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring restricted free agent Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and signing him to a four-year, $130-million deal, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Los Angeles is reportedly sending the Jazz unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 as well as first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, adds Charania.
The center's contract includes a player option for the fourth season plus a full trade kicker, adds Charania.
The 7-foot-2 Kessler played just five games in 2025-26 due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. However, he is considered one of the league's top up-and-coming rim-protectors and rebounding big men. He averaged 9.4 points and 9.2 rebounds through his first three seasons, including a league-high 4.6 offensive boards per game in 2024-25.
Drafted 22nd overall in 2022, Walker started 40 of 74 games in his debut campaign and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting behind Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams.
Los Angeles is having a busy offseason so far. The Lakers re-signed Austin Reaves to a four-year, $185-million contract, while center Deandre Ayton exercised his $8.1-million player option.
Their spending spree continued Wednesday with the free-agent signings of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton.
