NBA Rumors: Walker Kessler 'as Close to Unavailable as It Gets' amid Lakers Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers are known to be seeking a center before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but one of their top targets is reportedly off the table.

On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that "oft-suggested Lakers target Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz is believed to [be] as close to unavailable as it gets with less than 10 days to go before the trade deadline."

The No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Kessler has quickly blossomed into one of the best young centers in the league. The third-year pro is averaging career highs across the board with 11.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting an NBA-best 73.3 percent from the field. He ranks second in the league in blocks and seventh in rebounds.

ESPN's Shams Charania recently reported that the Lakers tried to acquire Kessler "many times" but have "not been able to meet that steep price." The Jazz acquired Kessler when they traded star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the 2022-23 season, so it's not surprising that they're not ready to give up on him just yet.

Stein added that the Lakers are "not expected to join the hunt" for Chicago Bulls star center Nikola Vučević or Toronto Raptors veteran big man Jakob Poeltl, leaving them with even fewer options to improve the center position before the trade deadline.

The Lakers (25-18) are in a virtual tie with the Los Angeles Clippers (26-19) for first place in the Pacific Division, but they could still use some help in the frontcourt to put them over the top as contenders in the Western Conference. The Lakers have allowed opponents to shoot 47.4 percent from the field, which ranks 24th in the NBA.

The clock is ticking for the Lakers to identify a viable trade target, as it's now clear that Kessler won't be an option.