The Lakers have indicated to other teams that they’re looking for a starting center. The franchise had previously tried to acquire Kessler from the Jazz to no avail. He missed most of last season, but is a strong rim protector with legitimate size. Is he worth two first-round picks? That’s going to polarize fans, but it’s likely the asking price for Utah, which has reached a stalemate with Kessler for now.
Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Utah “put an offer worth roughly $140 million over five years on the table,” but called that “a gulf” between the young center and the franchise.
The Lakers match the $140 million price, but paid out over four years. Instead of starting Kessler at $25 million with the Jazz, he jumps to $33.7 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s a massive investment, one the Lakers would need to be confident in, but may be the only clear path this offseason to a young center to pair with Dončić.
LA. also adds a dynamic wing with championship experience. Wiggins shoots the ball well, and can either come as a straight trade, opting into his final year at $30.2 million, or he can opt out of his contract and come to the Lakers via sign-and-trade on a three-year deal starting at a lower figure, perhaps at $25 million starting ($78.8 million total).
The Lakers part with most of their current roster, assuming Ayton opts in to play alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen in Utah’s frontcourt. L.A. stays over the NBA’s salary cap, instead of going under as expected, enabling the franchise to retain Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes. However, the total budget for all four would be $38.3 million. Wiggins at $25 million would bring that total to $43.3 million.
The Lakers start Dončić, Reaves, Kessler, Wiggins, and Hachimura, with Smart, Kennard, and Hayes off the bench. The team has two young players to develop in Adou Thiero and first-rounder Cameron Carr, plus four spots for vets on minimum contracts.
Los Angeles has a first-apron hard cap by acquiring Kessler via sign-and-trade. James and his son acquire Wiggins; Kessler by aggregation of Ayton, Vanderbilt, and Knecht.
