The Los Angeles Lakers may have to sacrifice a pivotal asset or two in free agency to take their roster to make a 2025-26 championship run.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicts the Lakers will end the Austin Reaves experiment this summer and acquire an underrated Utah Jazz duo.
“(Lauri) Markkanen was an All-Star two seasons back and was nearly as productive in 2023-24,” Pincus wrote Wednesday.
“While his volume and efficiency plummeted this past season, a big part of the problem may have been his lack of support. Reaves would help alleviate that problem, and if Knecht could engineer a leap year, he'd do the same.”
“The Jazz would open a hole on the interior in this trade, but the addition of (Jarred) Vanderbilt would at least give them more defensive resistance away from the basket. And, again, they could work the trade market to fill that void—and they'd have a big enough budget to target a substantial upgrade over (Walker) Kessler.”
“L.A., meanwhile, has clear interest in Kessler, an impact shot-blocker and high-end rebounder with a 68.0% career field-goal percentage. The Lakers could also offset some of the scoring void left by Reaves by adding (Collin) Sexton, and they'd pick up another throw at the dart board with that mid-second-rounder.”
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Pincus’ trade proposal sends Reaves, Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and a 2030 first-round pick swap (top-three-protected) to the Jazz for Kessler, Sexton, and the No. 43 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Landing Kessler would help Los Angeles shore up their frontcourt from the get-go. At 23 years old, the Auburn product is already among the most well-rounded centers in the NBA.
Offensively, Kessler is a lethal pick-and-roll weapon, jump hook maestro, and improved offensive rebounder. On the defensive end, Kessler makes it nearly impossible for opponents to finish over his long 7-foot-4 wingspan at the rim without attempting emphatic slams.
Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game with the Jazz this season, shooting 66.3% from the field in 58 regular-season contests.
Sexton, a 26-year-old point guard, is a talented asset in his own right. Whether slashing to the rim energetically, shooting the three at an outstanding clip, or bringing the heat defensively, Sexton continues to contribute in the big leagues.
The Alabama product poured in 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game during his third season in Utah, connecting on 48.0% of his field goals and 40.6% of his long-range jumpers.
With the Lakers reportedly presenting an offer for Kessler (Sexton is likely in the mix as well), Reaves’ tenure with the organization could end after four impactful seasons.
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