Kessler to Lakers (SHAMS)

kobe_vs_jordan · Post #61 » by **kobe_vs_jordan** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:13 pm

Indirectly up all centers on the market trade value. Washington probably want more for AD. Dallas might get some value for Gafford. Not sure if this moves Sabonnis value

eminence · Post #62 » by **eminence** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:14 pm

Utah's looking to be better than the past few years certainly, but I didn't see us as being *really* good or really expecting to be, we're about to give the keys to our offense to a rookie.

CallMeKahn · Post #63 » by **CallMeKahn** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:15 pm

JHFVF07 wrote:We got fleeced, but you couldnt wait anything different when you put Ainge(or any smart GM) and Pelinka on the same room.

But happy for the talent added, will be great complimmenting Luka and Reaves.

Yeah, I don't think anyone really bags the fit. But Utah will control the Lakers draft for the next half-decade or so for a dude with question marks.

OutsidetheNBA · Post #64 » by **OutsidetheNBA** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:18 pm

hugepatsfan wrote:So Sexton/Sando/Grimes all to LAL now too...

Luka / Sexton
Reaves / Bronny / Carr
Grimes / LaRavia / Knecht / Thiero
Sandro / Vandy
Kessler / Ayton

Good team, IMO, but feels light for being capped out and I think all in on draft picks now.

I'm not sure this is a good team. Can they bring back Rui and stay under the 1st Apron? Did Grimes get the MLE?

gswhoops · Post #65 » by **gswhoops** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:19 pm

OutsidetheNBA wrote:
hugepatsfan wrote:So Sexton/Sando/Grimes all to LAL now too...

Luka / Sexton
Reaves / Bronny / Carr
Grimes / LaRavia / Knecht / Thiero
Sandro / Vandy
Kessler / Ayton

Good team, IMO, but feels light for being capped out and I think all in on draft picks now.

I'm not sure this is a good team. Can they bring back Rui and stay under the 1st Apron? Did Grimes get the MLE?

Apparently its Kessler, Grimes, and Mamu into cap space and then Sexton with the room exception. Not sure on the apron math yet.

OutsidetheNBA · Post #66 » by **OutsidetheNBA** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:20 pm

Utah needs a Center. They have a $16m - $18m TPE from this deal depending on how Kessler's deal is structured -- Gafford, Lively, Aldama, Capela?

Catchall · Post #67 » by **Catchall** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:21 pm

I'll grade this as Incomplete until I see the follow-up move, but I bet the Jazz can trade for one or two meaningful players with those assets.

A lineup with Keyonte/DP/Ace/JJJ/Lauri is unconventional, but it's a beast.

Pattycakes · Post #68 » by **Pattycakes** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:23 pm

OutsidetheNBA wrote:
hugepatsfan wrote:So Sexton/Sando/Grimes all to LAL now too...

Luka / Sexton
Reaves / Bronny / Carr
Grimes / LaRavia / Knecht / Thiero
Sandro / Vandy
Kessler / Ayton

Good team, IMO, but feels light for being capped out and I think all in on draft picks now.

I'm not sure this is a good team. Can they bring back Rui and stay under the 1st Apron? Did Grimes get the MLE?

It’s not a good team, but the Lakers also tried to gaslight us all that Ayton was the FA of the year last year so they’ll convince us that quantity matters even though every last one of these guys are the definition of mid

Wolveswin · Post #69 » by **Wolveswin** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:25 pm

Catchall wrote:I'll grade this as Incomplete until I see the follow-up move, but I bet the Jazz can trade for one or two meaningful players with those assets.

Jazz don’t really need to trade. If JJJ is fine playing mostly center.

JJJ/Nurkic
Markkanen/JJJ
Ace
George
Peterson

And still plenty of depth.

gswhoops · Post #70 » by **gswhoops** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:29 pm

I unequivocally love this for Utah. Kessler is a nice to have (maybe not at >$30M per year) but they can easily get by with JJJ and Nurkic eating most of the minutes at the 5.

This is an insane asset haul that gives them a ton of flexibility to build around a pretty promising young core in George/DP/Ace/Lauri/JJJ

Dr Positivity · Post #71 » by **Dr Positivity** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:33 pm

I think Kessler is a great pick up, he has 3pt potential, D/finishing at the rim, good fit with Luka.

SkyHook · Post #72 » by **SkyHook** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 4:56 pm

Between the CA vs UT taxes and the cost of living delta between LA & SLC, this is a worse deal for Kessler than taking the Jazz offer.

Read on Twitter

JHFVF07 · Post #73 » by **JHFVF07** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:03 pm

After the other signings, I sincerely think we are(talent wise) worse than last year, the fit is better. Our only hope is that Kessler, playing for the first time for a team trying to win and alongside one of the 3 best playmakers on the league show itself as a top5 center in the league and a DPOY candidate(not seeing anyone beating Wemby).

tmorgan · Post #74 » by **tmorgan** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:07 pm

I think this is pretty definitive evidence Kessler wasn’t posturing and really did want out of Utah. Timing is super weird, though, as they finally look competitive.

Random thought — he wanted some touches on offense that looked less likely for the Jazz? They have SO many scorers. The Lakers have Austin, Luka, and a bunch of question marks.

Skybox · Post #75 » by **Skybox** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:10 pm

babyjax13 wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:Feel like I have to eat some crow on Kessler’s value. And sign and trade value.

But this feels like a mistake for LAL unless Kessler is the small sample size Kessler.. Will be tough to fill out rotation imo, maybe you can get some complicated sign and trade for LBJ done to keep your MLE?

If he is small sample size Kessler the Jazz will look back on this with a lot of regret. That is a top 5 center in the NBA. Now, I think real Kessler is somewhere in between what he was 2 years ago and what he was to start the year.

Kessler, imo, could potentially lead the league in blocks, rebounds, offensive rebounds and also shoot 40% from 3...not guaranteed by any means but this is a phenomenal upside bet by LAL...suddenly their core is young and doubt Luka's ability to make everyone look good at your peril. Also, never bank on Lakers picks having value...they just keep moving and players want to be there...you can time it all you want but you're lucky to get a high pick from LAL, under any circumstances.

...and Carr may be the steal of the draft...I wanted ORL to throw Suggs + out there for him...he and Luka will make beautiful highlight music together.

I don't like the Reaves deal but...still a good summer if you put your spreadsheets away and try to win.

Post #76 » by **Texas Chuck** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:10 pm

JHFVF07 wrote:After the other signings, I sincerely think we are(talent wise) worse than last year, the fit is better. Our only hope is that Kessler, playing for the first time for a team trying to win and alongside one of the 3 best playmakers on the league show itself as a top5 center in the league and a DPOY candidate(not seeing anyone beating Wemby).

I think he can be really good. But we haven't seen much growth since a strong rookie season and that should be concerning. Luka is going to make him effective on offense if he is committed to rolling hard over and over again. And I think he's a good defender with the potential to be great.

But its a huge ask in the short term to make this all worth it for LA. But not because he's isn't a good player. Just paying top of market money and all those assets, he basically has become the 2nd best player on the team and I think that might be a tall ask.

gswhoops · Post #77 » by **gswhoops** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:12 pm

Skybox wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:Feel like I have to eat some crow on Kessler’s value. And sign and trade value.

But this feels like a mistake for LAL unless Kessler is the small sample size Kessler.. Will be tough to fill out rotation imo, maybe you can get some complicated sign and trade for LBJ done to keep your MLE?

If he is small sample size Kessler the Jazz will look back on this with a lot of regret. That is a top 5 center in the NBA. Now, I think real Kessler is somewhere in between what he was 2 years ago and what he was to start the year.

Kessler, imo, could potentially lead the league in blocks, rebounds, offensive rebounds and also shoot 40% from 3...not guaranteed by any means but this is a phenomenal upside bet by LAL...suddenly their core is young and doubt Luka's ability to make everyone look good at your peril. Also, never bank on Lakers picks having value...they just keep moving and players want to be there...you can time it all you want but you're lucky to get a high pick from LAL, under any circumstances.

...and Carr may be the steal of the draft...I wanted ORL to throw Suggs + out there for him...he and Luka will make beautiful highlight music together.

I don't like the Reaves deal but...still a good summer if you put your spreadsheets away and try to win.

I must be missing something here because this seems insane for a guy who's a career 26% 3pt shooter on 0.3 attempts per game

Spin Move · Post #78 » by **Spin Move** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:13 pm

The sexton singing was nice, this is a solid team now, the problem is that they are not nearly as good as OKC or San Antonio and they have mortgaged their future to be the 3rd or 4th best team in the conference depending on how Denver rounds things out. Compare this signing to the Mitchell singing for half as much, Yes Kessler is like 15% better when healthy, but not 50% better.

Skybox · Post #79 » by **Skybox** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:15 pm

OutsidetheNBA wrote:Utah needs a Center. They have a $16m - $18m TPE from this deal depending on how Kessler's deal is structured -- Gafford, Lively, Aldama, Capela?

Goga Bitadze...young, $7m expiring...ORL suddenly doesn't need him with Vuc home...solid backup

babyjax13 · Post #80 » by **babyjax13** » Wed Jul 1, 2026 5:15 pm

gswhoops wrote:
Skybox wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:If he is small sample size Kessler the Jazz will look back on this with a lot of regret. That is a top 5 center in the NBA. Now, I think real Kessler is somewhere in between what he was 2 years ago and what he was to start the year.

Kessler, imo, could potentially lead the league in blocks, rebounds, offensive rebounds and also shoot 40% from 3...not guaranteed by any means but this is a phenomenal upside bet by LAL...suddenly their core is young and doubt Luka's ability to make everyone look good at your peril. Also, never bank on Lakers picks having value...they just keep moving and players want to be there...you can time it all you want but you're lucky to get a high pick from LAL, under any circumstances.

...and Carr may be the steal of the draft...I wanted ORL to throw Suggs + out there for him...he and Luka will make beautiful highlight music together.

I don't like the Reaves deal but...still a good summer if you put your spreadsheets away and try to win.

I must be missing something here because this seems insane for a guy who's a career 26% 3pt shooter on 0.3 attempts per game

Last season in preseason and to start the year he had a completely new jumper and it looked great. If that jumper is real he is probably the 3rd or 4th best center in the league -- but that is a gamble I am fine not taking.