Former Auburn center Walker Kessler is joining the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Utah Jazz have agreed to sign-and-trade Kessler to the Lakers in exchange for two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps.
Additionally, Kessler will sign a 4-year, $130 million contract with the Lakers as he becomes a key member of their core alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
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Kessler was a restricted free agent this offseason, giving Utah the option to match any offer sheet he signed with another team. Instead, the Jazz opted to trade him to the Lakers — recouping significant value in the form of draft compensation.
Kessler played just 5 games in his 4th NBA season due to injury. However, over his short time in the league, he has developed into one of the premier rebounders and rim protectors in the NBA.
In 2024-25, his most recent full season, Kessler led the league with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game while also adding in 11.1 points and 2.4 blocks a night.
Expectations will be high for Kessler and the Lakers entering the 2026-27 campaign. This will be the franchise’s second season with Doncic leading the way. Last season, the Lakers were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder while Doncic nursed an injury.
Kessler spent 1 season at Auburn before moving on to the NBA. He was a third-team All-American in his lone year on the Plains.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
