Well, Utah Jazz fans, Walker Kessler is no longer a Jazzman, which certainly is surprising, but it isn't devastating in the slightest. We feared the Los Angeles Lakers would pull the nuclear option. While they technically did, the Jazz were not left empty-handed. In fact, as far as what the scenario could have looked like had Kessler skipped town, this was probably the best one.
Jazz fans understandably would have preferred that Kessler stay, but when looking at what the Lakers gave up to get him, Utah got a superstar-like haul for the center.
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
Basically, the Jazz got the Lakers' future, which, on the surface, may not sound too enticing, but after they just lost LeBron James, it's not that scary. Kessler is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Lakers, but it also means the Jazz own the Lakers' future.
He's a step in the right direction for the Lakers, but even so, it's him, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and a hell of a lot of questions for LA. Because of that, it's hard not think Utah made the right move here. They can either wait to use those picks or trade them for a Kessler replacement among other things.
With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic, this isn't nearly as big of a loss as many would have feared at this time a year ago.
And props to Kessler for getting paid
The fact of the matter is, Kessler truly believed he was worth a lot more than what the Jazz had on the table for him, and the Lakers were the ones willing to oblige him on his price. It was clearly too far out of Utah's comfort zone, but LA's desperation was at a high enough level to pay up for him and the Jazz for his services.
At least Kessler got what he wanted while he also gave the Jazz options for how to move forward. As useful as he was to Utah, they didn't see him as the star player he clearly believed himself to be and can now focus on paying the players they want to pay while also looking into who could replace him at a lower price.
This should make for quite an interesting dynamic for the Lakers, Jazz, and Kessler. Not just because the Lakers pulled the trigger on this, but because now both teams will have the same intentions and may cross paths at some point.
No one would have expected Kessler to leave the Jazz for the Lakers and not upset the fans. Yet, here we are.
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