A Trade Idea to Land Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick a Much-Needed Center
After a dormant offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers finally executed a roster upgrade, trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, with D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and second-round picks going to the Brooklyn Nets.
The move signals L.A. is willing to give up future considerations to improve its standing in the Western Conference.
Can the Lakers plug their remaining roster holes, notably at the center position and possibly at guard to replace the departed Russell? What does the team have to offer, and what would be the consequences of moderate, aggressive and conservative moves?
The following is the first in a three-part series with Lakers trade ideas: Part 1 being a two-team deal to bring the team and head coach JJ Redick a potential starting center/key reserve center.
*Check back on Monday for Part 2 of B/R's Lakers trade series.
Lakers Trade Primer
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Before jumping into the proposed deal, it's vital to understand the Lakers' precarious positioning within the complex rules of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.
The franchise has 15 players on guaranteed contracts (plus three two-way contracts) and a total payroll of $185.4 million. It has been open about not intending to spend more than the second apron ($188.9 million), which would be challenging to accomplish this season.
But keep that in mind for next year, with a projected second apron of $207.8 million. That's likely the upper band of what the Lakers are willing to spend next year, so any significant multi-year additions may need to come with LeBron James opting out of his $52.6 million to re-sign at a discount or L.A. dumping other players from the books like Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and/or Rui Hachimura.
According to multiple competing executives, Vincent has marginal to no trade value, and Vanderbilt (out after foot surgery) has negative value. The Lakers don't want to trade Hachimura or Dalton Knecht, so league sources expect their primary trade bait to be first-round picks (2029-2031).
Outside of two seconds this June (their own plus one from the Los Angeles Clippers), the most the Lakers can offer, due to the Stepien Rule, are firsts in 2029 and 2031 with limited means of protection.
There's also the opportunity cost to consider. If a recent All-Star such as De'Aaron Fox became available this offseason but the Lakers traded their picks for role players before the February 6 deadline, they won't have much to offer the Sacramento Kings.
Full Trade Scenario
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Los Angeles Lakers get:
- Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz get:
- Christian Wood
- Removal of top-4 protection on the Lakers' 2027 first-rounder
- 2029 first-rounder
Note: The Lakers previously sent the 2027 first-rounder to Utah in the Russell Westbrook trade. It will only be conveyed if L.A. is in the 5-30 range; otherwise, it will send its 2027 second-rounder. If the Lakers win the lottery (Nos. 1-4), their second-rounder will go to the Nets. After the Kessler trade, the 2027 second-rounder would still go to the Nets or Jazz, with the adjustment removing protection in the first round.
Why the Lakers Do It
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The Lakers need to spend the next few weeks evaluating the roster after acquiring Finney-Smith as a potential small-ball center option, but Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen also recently demolished L.A. on New Year's Eve.
Kessler would give coach JJ Redick the flexibility to play another rim-protecting big alongside Anthony Davis, depending on matchups. That's not currently an option, and the lack of size seemed to show up most over the last two postseasons against the Denver Nuggets.
Kessler, 23, is still young and inexpensive next year at $4.9 million. With this and the recent trade with the Nets, the Lakers would have tremendous size and depth at the big positions.
The Lakers have won before, with James serving as the team's floor general; the loss of Russell's ball-handling skills falls on Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent (and could be addressed through free agency). If Milton can fill in (somewhat out of position) as the third point guard, L.A. may be set for its postseason run. At worst, the team can turn to free agency to add one more ball-handler.
Los Angeles retains its 2031 first-rounder for a potential offseason move. The risk in giving up 2029 (and reducing protections in 2027) is the price to climb in the competitive Western Conference. The Lakers won't catch the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the standings, but the No. 2 seed remains in reach.
Looking forward—and assuming Finney-Smith ($15.4 million) and James both opt in this summer—the Lakers should be able to retain every current rotation player while using the projected $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception to add a ball-handling guard.
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Why the Jazz Do It
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The Jazz are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, especially defensively. That begs the question: If Kessler is an elite rim protector, why is Utah arguably the worst defensive team in the league?
In context, the Jazz are focused more on development and the draft lottery than on winning. Sources familiar with the team's thinking suggest Kessler, who is extension-eligible this summer, isn't a long-term fit for its goals over the coming years.
Landing the Lakers' 2029 first-rounder would give Utah a chance at a high lottery pick, given that James just turned 40 and will (presumably) retire before the 2028-29 season.
If Los Angeles suffers an earlier downturn, the extra shot at Nos. 1-4 in 2027 is a bonus that may or may not matter. But Utah must cast a wide net as it pushes through its rebuild. The Jazz may not want to help the Lakers improve, but Kessler won't make James any younger.
Wood is just the necessary salary to complete the trade and would presumably be cut by Utah soon after. The Lakers would probably try to get the Jazz to include their own 2029 second-rounder with Kessler so L.A. can return it as protection in case its first lands as a top-four pick.
Would top basketball executives Justin Zanik and Danny Ainge be so generous, given they can wait to trade Kessler until over the summer or by the next deadline? The unprotected nature of the two firsts presumably puts the deal over the edge for the Jazz.
*Next up, on Monday: a more aggressive move for the Lakers with a familiar team.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
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