Walker Kessler Discussion: Rim Protector And Lob Threat

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by KareemtheGreat33, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:34 AM.

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  1. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    Wow
     
    KareemtheGreat33, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:34 AM
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  2. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers All Star -

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    YES!!!

    WELCOME!!

    Now I need terms of the deal. All picks is crazy. Better be shedding some salary.
     
    pika1708, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:36 AM
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  3. Helljumper

    Helljumper - Lakers All Star -

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    Let’s goooo, perfect fit along Luka and exactly the type of low usage lob threat/defensive anchor you need at the position in today’s NBA. Have to hope there is truth to the buzz around him being more healthy/durable than his games played have indicated and Utah has held him out to tank
     
    Helljumper, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:38 AM
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  4. Kobe Bryant 8

    Kobe Bryant 8 - Lakers Starter -

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    Wow... That's hefty.
     
    Kobe Bryant 8, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:39 AM
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  5. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    32.5 average value is solid. In 2-3 years, he'll look underpaid.

    Don't like seeing the 1sts go. Mitchell Robinson just went for $16 million so the market is insanely tight and tough for teams looking for centers.

    I think Lakers knew they had to jump fast. Pistons would have kept Lakers offer sheet on pause for a week. Utah couldn't match the money Lakers could pay so Lakers had to overpay a bit to get Utah not to match the offer sheet and Lakers can now make moves in free agency.

    Worth it at the end of the day.
     
    Astros, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:43 AM
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  6. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    That’s an insane price to pay for a guy who has yet to even play one playoff game. 2 unprotected picks and 2 swaps, the Jazz took no salary from us, AND he also gets a 4th year player option. Rob is a horrible negotiator lol.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:46 AM
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  7. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers All Star -

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    https://x.com/i/status/2072343768699671028

    Yeah we got fleeced. Too big of a price that really makes it harder for us to improve the team considerably.

    Only good thing is that he's signing for 30mil or so.
    Gives us 20mil in cap space and flexibility in future years around the cap. As we can't trade for any good players, focus will be getting guys in FA for cheap and hope they hit and give them salary bumps in the summer
     
    pika1708, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:47 AM
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  8. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    What's the alternative though? You give Walker an offer, wait a week for Jazz to decide, your salary space gets locked up so you can't make moves, and then you might end up not getting Walker anyways?

    Lakers hands were tied. And watching other players go for pennies on the dollar in this market, Lakers had to move fast.
     
    Astros, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:49 AM
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  9. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    I would have been happier if it was one protected 1st instead of two, but we had to pay in this market. The premium on big men in the NBA has skyrocketed.

    We now have Luka, AR and Kessler signed for 3+ years. That's two elite scorers/playmakers and an elite rim protector/defensive anchor --- a solid foundation to build on.
     
    tada, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:49 AM
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  10. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    S*** I’d have preferred to trade for Myles Turner and try and dump Vando in the process, retain our picks for other areas. We wouldn’t win a title with Turner, but we aren’t winning one with Kessler whatever other scraps join this roster either, so I’d prefer to have not used every asset we have in one deal for an unproven center. I like Kessler a lot, but that’s an insane overpay. Hell I’d probably prefer just going with Ayton again than sending out 2 unprotected firsts and 2 swaps.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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  11. The Laker Link 3.0

    The Laker Link 3.0 - Rookie -

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    Take the W we have right now....discuss how to recoup on other things later.
     
    The Laker Link 3.0, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:54 AM
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  12. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    ainge held all the cards here. he knows pelinka's job is on the line and that kessler checks all the boxes in regards to the kind of big man the lakers want to pair with luka

    overpaying was the only way rob was going to acquire him
     
    432J, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:54 AM
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  13. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    Jesus that a massive haul for the Jazz. I don't see how this team building approach can work in the modern CBA. They have holes all over the place, cap spaced out, and minimal picks
     
    Pioneer10, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:55 AM
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  14. Julio

    Julio - Rookie -

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    would have been nice to unload a bad contract or two. Wow. Steep price. Hope the kid is worth it. Are we the only post 1960 era team to have top 3 players be.... how do you say..... bad dancers?
     
    Julio, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:56 AM
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  15. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    I was suggesting trading Ayton + Knecht + Vando for Kuzma + Ware + Jaime and going after Peyton Watson instead. Jaime + Watson at the wing would have been a solid core to build around.

    Then you'd have Ware + Hayes + Sandro at your frontcourt.

    I agree, they risk a ton for Walker. But if that's what Luka wanted, your hands are tied.
     
    Astros, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:56 AM
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  16. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Rob probably shouldn’t have still been in charge and had all our remaining assets at his disposal if his goal is to just save his job.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:56 AM
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  17. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers MVP -

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    Damn, he better deliver. We gonna rock all white starting 5 or what? :D
     
    Kenzo, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
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  18. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    Player option on the final year of Kessler lol..

    Another Rob specialty
     
    Astros, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:04 AM
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  19. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    so what happens with ayton?
     
    432J, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:04 AM
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  20. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    At this rate he’s our backup. Probably wise as Kessler played 5 games last year and 58 the year before.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:06 AM
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