For the last couple of seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Walker Kessler, a rising young center who has been a member of the Utah Jazz. He is a restricted free agent this summer, and the Lakers are one team that has been expected to make a run at him.
Kessler was reportedly set to meet with teams in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the first day that NBA teams were allowed to talk to outside free agents. He is reportedly the Lakers’ top target this summer, according to insider Marc Stein, and the departure of LeBron James could open up enough salary cap flexibility for L.A. to actually land him.
The growing anticipation leaguewide is that the Lakers ultimately secure commitments on new contracts from Toronto free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili and Philadelphia free agent Quentin Grimes while still pursuing their top summer target: Utah restricted free agent Walker Kessler. https://t.co/pYMRcSyvrn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2026
Kessler won’t be inexpensive, as he has established himself as a superb rebounder and shot-blocker in his four pro seasons. He has career averages of 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes a game, and this past season, he showed some preliminary signs of developing a 3-point shot before a shoulder injury sidelined him after just five games.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have been meeting with a number of free agents, and Kessler is one of them.
“Right now as we speak, Lakers president Rob Pelinka has been in the midst of multiple meetings with free agents. That includes restricted free agents like Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren, that includes other unrestricted free agents as well. They’re gonna prioritize some size, shooting, backcourt help, I think all of it. They’re gonna have $50 million in cap space now that LeBron James has informed them so that they can move on with their business and he’s gonna move on with theirs elsewhere. … They’re gonna be aggressive to try to fill this roster out with multiple different types of players.”
Deandre Ayton, the Lakers’ starting center this past season, decided to exercise the player option on his contract. Dave McMenamin of ESPN said just days ago that due to Luka Doncic’s desire for an “A-list center,” L.A. may have to trade Ayton.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Marc Stein: Walker Kessler is Lakers’ top summer target
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