The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to leave no stone unturned in their attempt to build a contending roster around Luka Doncic. Rob Pelinka will undoubtedly be driven to give the superstar forward a contending-level supporting cast.
When Desmond Bane was traded to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, June 15, some Lakers fans likely began dreaming of a potential deal to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. The Memphis Grizzlies‘ big man would provide elite-level defense, rebounding and an interior scoring presence.
However, in a June 16 episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” NBA Insider Brian Windhorst killed all talk of a potential Jackson-to-Lakers deal.
“No chance,” Windhorst said when asked if Jackson could be deal to the Lakers. “No chance. “Absolutely not worth a discussion. Look, I think Jaren Jackson is now in a position to sign a contract extension of over $200 million. I would feel very strongly that’s going to happen.”
Jackson Jr. is a linchpin in the Grizzlies’ rotation. It’s highly unlikely the front office moves on from him unless they opt to enter a full-scale rebuild. As such, Pelinka’s search for a new starting-caliber big man will continue. Ideally, he will covet a rim-running big that can provide vertical spacing as a genuine lob-threat.
Lakers Reportedly Intrigued by Walker Kessler
Another big man, Pelinka, who could show interest this summer, is Walker Kessler . According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, speaking via ESPN Radio 700 , the Lakers remain “intrigued” by the Utah Jazz’s shot-blocking center.
“The only thing on that front…is that Walker Kessler remains a name the Lakers are intrigued by,” McMenamin said. “Whether that will lead to any sort of deal, obviously, last year, the asking price was too steep, and, obviously, the Lakers ended up pivoting those assets that they were considering moving to the Jazz to get Kessler in order to do the Luka trade. That came off the table after the Luka trade. If they do revisit it, that remains a player that the Lakers feel could fil the void that they have at center. I’m not reporting anything’s moving towards [a deal] or picking up steam or anything like that, but Kessler remains on the Lakers’ radar.”
Kessler averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds last season. He also finished second in the NBA for blocks per game, sitting directly behind Victor Wembanyama .
Lakers Would Need to be Ambitious to Land Kessler
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes cited Kessler as an “ambitious” trade target for the Lakers.
“Walker Kessler has ranked in the 95th percentile or better in block rate among big men in each of his first three seasons,” Hughes wrote.” That kind of interior presence would transform a Los Angeles Lakers team that ranked 21st in blocks per 100 possessions and 25th in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim last year.”
Of course, Kessler is another big who doesn’t fit the rim-runner mold. Pelinka may prefer to add a genuine lob threat to the rotation this summer. If that is the case, neither Jackson Jr. nor Kessler would make sense for the version of the Lakers that Pelinka is attempting to build.
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