The Los Angeles Lakers have been in the market for a big man since acquiring Luka Doncic in February 2025. The team was undersized in its playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025, leading to a first round exit in five games. 

In the 2025 offseason, they signed Deandre Ayton, who was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ayton played well in his first season for the Lakers, averaging 12.5 points and eight rebounds in 72 games, but continued to have his inconsistencies and struggles in the playoffs. 

Ayton is also a more offensive-minded center who needs his touches on that end of the floor, which wasn't an ideal fit with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James dominating the ball. 

The Athletic's Sam Amick reports Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler "is at odds with the front office over his lack of an extension offer last summer and the current handling of his restricted free agency."

Kessler played just five games this past season before undergoing shoulder surgery that would keep him out for the entire year. 

In 2024-25, he played 58 games, averaging 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds. He is an imposing presence in the paint who protects the rim, finishes underneath the basket, and grabs every rebound in sight. 

He even showed improved touch in his five games this past season, hitting six of his eight three-point attempts. 

Kessler is set to become a restricted free agent, which means he could sign a deal with the Jazz, sign an offer sheet with another team (starting on July 1) that Utah could match, find a suitable sign-and-trade option for both parties, or sign the qualifying offer (worth $14.6 million) for next season as a pathway to unrestricted free agency next summer.

When the Lakers were looking at center options going into the 2025-26 season, Kessler was among the names the team was linked to. 

The Jazz didn't sign him to an extension last offseason, setting up his restricted free agency this offseason. Utah then traded for Jaren Jackson Jr during the season, giving them a duo of Lauri Markkanen and Jackson Jr that will command a combined $95 million next season. 

While Kessler is a different player than those two, it becomes an expensive front court that might not totally fit together. 

Kessler is the type of big man who would thrive next to Doncic with his ability to set a screen, roll to the rim, and protect the paint. Unlike Ayton, he's more of a low-maintenance center who won't be as worried about getting his midrange shots or singular touches. 

If Kessler is indeed looking for a way out of Utah, expect the Lakers to get involved.