{"id":103300,"date":"2024-10-26T17:43:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T21:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=103300"},"modified":"2024-10-26T17:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T21:43:20","slug":"jazz-big-man-reportedly-on-lakers-radar-per-insider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/26\/jazz-big-man-reportedly-on-lakers-radar-per-insider\/","title":{"rendered":"Jazz Big Man Reportedly on Lakers Radar, Per Insider"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers have been off to a hot start, earning a 2-0 record behind <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a>\u2019s 30-point performances. However, as impressive as they\u2019ve looked, several questions remain\u2014particularly around the center position. The Lakers were recently linked to several centers who could help Davis, LeBron James<\/a>, and co. out. However, a new report confirms they are interested in a key name from their conference rival.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jazz Big Man Reportedly on Lakers Radar, Per Insider<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lakers Tied to Walker Kessler<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to The Athletic\u2019s Jovan Buha<\/a>, the Lakers have expressed interest in Jazz center <\/span>Walker Kessler<\/span><\/a>. He marked the 23-year-old as one of the team’s trade targets to begin the season, but not before adding an important caveat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I think we need more time to see which guys become available. I think Walker Kessler is a name that the Lakers have been interested in that would make a lot of sense and would allow you to either start a two-big look or probably more realistically bring him off the bench.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kessler, a product of UNC and Auburn, is entering his third year as the main man in the middle for a rebuilding Jazz team. Last season, he put up 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game on .654\/.211\/.602 splits. In Utah\u2019s first two games, he has averaged 9.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 87.5% from the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Davis has started the season off producing video-game-like numbers, the reality is such production may not be sustainable for all 82 games. The Lakers have lacked an extra big man to help make Davis\u2019s job easier, and that’s where Kessler can easily slide in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 23-year-old\u2019s production on both ends of the floor is precisely what the Lakers need under JJ Redick<\/a>. While he has grown as a scorer and a rebounder, his defense has been consistently superb. Kessler averaged 2.3 blocks per game (career-best 173 total) his rookie year, and put up similar numbers (2.4 BPG, 154 total) in his sophomore season. He could help the Lakers tremendously next to a DPOY candidate, supplementing Davis as either a starter or a reserve and providing an extra threat in the paint. Additionally, Kessler\u2019s ability to rack up points in the pick-and-roll or in transition would be excellent next to James’ superior playmaking.<\/span><\/p>\n