Lakers Should Make Walker Kessler Their Top 2026 Offseason Target amid NBA Rumors

Heading into their 2025-26 campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers are poised to make one full-season run with LeBron James and Luka Dončić at their core. The team's path in 2026 and beyond is a bit murkier.

A lot may hinge on whether James wants to continue playing and wants to do it in Los Angeles. General manager Rob Pelinka doesn't appear inclined to push out the soon-to-be 41-year-old.

While James' future is uncertain, Los Angeles' plan for Dončić is clear. The 26-year-old will be the franchise's new centerpiece for the foreseeable future after signing a three-year extension in August.

At some point, the Lakers will need to pair Dončić with a new, younger long-term running mate. Recent NBA rumors suggest a perfect target could be sliding into L.A.'s path.

According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, emerging Utah Jazz forward Walker Kessler isn't likely to sign an extension before next offseason, when he'll be a restricted free agent:

This is noteworthy for L.A. because the franchise has been searching for a difference-making defensive big since long before Dončić arrived. The search didn't end with Dončić's arrival, and at one point, it reportedly included interest in Kessler.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers were interested in Kessler before pivoting to the Mark Williams trade that ultimately fell through:

"Kessler was one of the centers L.A. inquired about last season before the Williams trade, sources told ESPN, but Utah's asking price—multiple first-round picks—was too steep."

Utah's lack of long-term control with Kessler might just open the door for the Lakers to make a move. They may still not be able to acquire him at a team-friendly price via a trade—though they should certainly keep kicking the proverbial tires—but they might have the capital to make a serious run in restricted free agency.

Assuming James doesn't return on a new, lucrative contract, Los Angeles should be one of the major players in 2026 free agency. As of now, the franchise is scheduled to have $83.1 million in cap space and $104.6 million in space below the first tax apron.

The Jazz will have the right to match any restricted free agent offer made, but theoretically, the Lakers could make an offer that Utah won't. That's absolutely a move Pelinka and Co. should be preparing to make, with a few caveats.

If James, Dončić, Austin Reaves, free-agent center Deandre Ayton, and the rest of the current roster are looking championship-worthy at the trade deadline, it could behoove L.A. to make a stronger push to acquire Kessler via trade. The Lakers would still have the chance to retain him as a RFA, and getting James a second championship in Los Angeles would be historic.

Any in-season struggles by Utah or displeasure by Kessler could potentially push the price point further in L.A.'s favor too.

There's also a chance that Ayton quickly establishes himself as more of a long-term building block than most expect. If so, making a move for Kessler might be wholly unnecessary—though Ayton does have a player option next season and could depart.

In a vacuum, though, Kessler is the perfect potential running mate to pair with Dončić for the next half-decade or more. He's rapidly becoming one of the top defenders in the league and, at only 24 years old, is just now approaching his playing prime.

*Cap and contract information from Spotrac.