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Lakers Sign Walker Kessler to $130M, Trade Picks to Utah

7/14/2026

Summary

Lakers Sign Kessler

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract on July 13 2026.
The trade gave Utah first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and swap rights for 2028 and 2030.
Kessler cleared his shoulder on July 13 2026 and had averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in five games before the 2025-26 season ended.
He will protect the paint, set screens and finish lob passes for Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves praised his defense.

Summary

Redick Pushes Shooting

Coach JJ Redick wants Austin Kessler to become a true three-point threat to stretch the Lakers’ floor.
Kessler said a big who can shoot forces defenses to adjust, complicating opponents’ scouting.
In 2025-26 he averaged 1.6 threes per game, making 1.2 per night at 75 % before injury.
Redick believes shooting will boost Kessler’s value, silence critics of his $130 million contract, and justify the deal if his deep-shooting exceeds 0 %.

History

Historical Context

In February 2008 the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, a versatile big who signed a five-year, $84 million contract and helped Los Angeles post a 57-win season and win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. That success proved the value of shooting-oriented centers, a model the team now follows by giving rookie Walker Kessler a $130 million, four-year deal under coach JJ Redick.

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Lakers Sign Kessler

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract on July 13 2026.
The trade gave Utah first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and swap rights for 2028 and 2030.
Kessler cleared his shoulder on July 13 2026 and had averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in five games before the 2025-26 season ended.
He will protect the paint, set screens and finish lob passes for Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves praised his defense.

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