Walker Kessler suitors have been dropping like flies, and this dates back to even before free agency started. His restricted free agency was already a big enough problem for what he wants, but teams going in different directions absolutely hurt his already shrinking leverage. The one team that hasn't waved the white flag yet on Kessler yet is the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers wanted Kessler way before he entered restricted free agency, and they may be the one NBA team that needs him more than anything. It's difficult to think of how exactly they could pull it off - A sign-and-trade? Don't make us laugh - but CBS Sports' Sam Quinn illustrated how the Lakers could do it: a two-year "Chandler Parsons" max.
This was my pitch:
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 28, 2026
Offer Walker Kessler the Chandler Parsons max (25%, two years with a player option on a third, hope to renegotiate a longer term, lower-AAV deal after the second year).
It's an absolute overpay but it potentially solves center without costing any picks. https://t.co/5KdkpMy3ZX
Quinn acknowledged that such a strategy is a gross overpay for Kessler, but it is also demonstrative of the Lakers' desperation for a quality big and formulates how the Jazz would be uncomfortable in a situation like this. If Utah were to match, more problems would be on the horizon for them because they would have to pay Keyonte George next summer.
Utah's preference is to keep Kessler, making it clear that they're willing to pay good money for him, even if it's not at the price that he wants. Regardless, Kessler may be low on options, but he's not out of them. With the LeBron drama very much unfolding, it wouldn't be surprising if the Lakers try this, no matter what collateral damage it would do to their cap.
The Jazz would likely match anyway
This isn't just about the notion that Utah would prefer to keep one of their most indispensable players, but also about keeping him away from a team that has the exact same intentions they do. Kessler going to the Lakers would be a double whammy for the Jazz because they would lose him to a competitor.
As the video alludes to, they would probably have to trade him the following summer, but even if that were to be the case, they would still have control over the situation. Even if Utah were to lose Kessler, they would at least be able to control how they would do so.
Utah knows Kessler is someone they can't lose. While the odds are quite low that the way they've handled this will blow up in their face, it's still not at zero until it's confirmed he's back with the team. If the Lakers do something like this, even they know it's not the most well-thought-out idea.
We have seen teams go the extra mile to salvage themselves, like Milwaukee waiving-and-stretching Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner. It not only didn't save them, but made their situation even worse long-term.
The Lakers may take a similar risk, even if it's not nearly as drastic. If they do, it wouldn't kill the Jazz, but it would undeniably hurt them.
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