Up until the final decision, it was difficult to read how this Walker Kessler situation was going to end for the Utah Jazz. All indications were that they were going to bring him back, but had their limits for what they were willing to offer. The situation playing out the way it did is yet another example of what Danny Ainge does: swindle.
He did this before he joined the Utah Jazz, and he's done it even more since affiliating himself with the team, even if he technically doesn't have the same position with the Jazz that he did with the Celtics. Anyway, many worried that the Los Angeles Lakers would do everything in their power to steal Kessler away from the Jazz.
They technically did, but it's fair to say that the Jazz took advantage of the Lakers' desperation when you look at the deal.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
Sure, the Jazz wanted to keep Kessler, but they clearly held firm on what they were willing to offer. Because the Lakers were desperate, the Jazz now own their future. When a team is desperate for a player Ainge can dangle, that's when he shines.
Now the pressure is amplified for the Lakers to succeed. Kessler is a good first step for them post-LeBron, but he's not a savior. Paying that high a price for someone who is not a star until he proves otherwise opens up the possibility that this could backfire on them big time.
There's a solid chance this will turn into another Ainge hustle.
Ainge always takes great advantage of desperate teams
When he first joined Utah late in 2021, he proves he was the right hire when the team realized the Rudy Gobert-Donovan Mitchell era had run its course in Utah. He also knew because of the caliber of players he had at his disposal, he could take advantage of teams who would be willing to pay top dollar for them.
And look what happened. Those trades got the Jazz multiple cornerstones of their next chapter, including Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Plus whatever they get from this Kessler trade, whether they utilize those picks or trade them.
So now, the Jazz get to compete for the playoffs next season while basically owning the Lakers' future. Even if Kessler works out for the Lakers, there's no guarantee their vision will work out period. If it doesn't, Utah can take full advantage.
This is why teams are afraid to make deals with Ainge. He knows when to strike when no one thinks he will. No one knew how the Kessler situation was going to be sorted. At the same time, no one knew what was going to happen with Mitchell and Gobert.
But the unknown and uncertainty is Ainge's bread and butter when he's calling the shots. No one's saying this Kessler trade is his biggest home run, but no one's not saying that either.
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