New Lakers Rumors Uncover Impact of Luka Doncic on Walker Kessler Sign-and-Trade

The "favorable terms" of the Luka Dončić trade encouraged the Los Angeles Lakers to make an aggressive play for center Walker Kessler, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein.

The Lakers acquired Dončić ahead of the 2025 deadline while holding onto Austin Reaves and retaining a lot of their best draft capital.

"The trade assets preserved in that heist, in other words, helped nudge the Lakers to a place where they believed they could withstand spending so big on Kessler," Stein wrote Sunday. "They, too, had promised Dončić a top-flight center in the summer of 2026 as far back as last summer, when he committed to sign a three-year, $165 million extension. The Lakers are thus convinced that, pricey as it was to pull off, they have duly delivered the best two-way big man Dončić will have played with through his first nine NBA seasons."

Los Angeles pretty much emptied the cupboard in order to get Kessler in a sign-and-trade. On top of handing him a four-year, $129.5 million contract, it sent two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033) and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz for the privilege.

Through four years in the league, Kessler is averaging 13.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per 36 minutes, according to Basketball Reference. The 7'2" big man should suit Dončić's game perfectly.

Plenty of people balked at the Minnesota Timberwolves giving up what amounted to five first-rounders for Rudy Gobert in 2022. After Gobert played a key role in back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, the deal was arguably worth it for Minnesota.

The Lakers were widely perceived of having fleeced the Dallas Mavericks on the Dončić trade. It wound up balancing out as L.A. felt the urgency, thanks to Luka's presence, to build an appropriate supporting cast. That meant going above and beyond to ensure the Jazz or another team wouldn't land Kessler.