Lakers Expected to Pursue Double-Double Center in Bold Offseason Move.<\/p>\n
The Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 primary objective this offseason is to secure a starting-caliber center after their failed attempt to acquire Mark Williams.<\/p>\n
In a recent article, Bleacher Report\u2019s Greg Swartz suggested a trade that could help the Lakers land a much-needed starting center to pair with Luka Don\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n
Utah Jazz Receive: Dalton Knecht, 2031 first-round pick (unprotected)<\/p>\n
\u201cKessler, 23, is a dominant force in the paint, averaging a double-double (11.5 points, 12.5 rebounds) while blocking 2.3 shots per game and leading the NBA in field goal percentage (72.7 percent),\u201d Swartz stated. \u201cAlthough Utah may not be actively shopping Kessler, a future unprotected first-round pick and a solid prospect in Knecht (14.3 points, 39.3 percent from three as a starter) could spark a discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kessler was a top target for the Lakers when they had Anthony Davis, who sought a center to move back to his preferred power forward position. The Lakers\u2019 approach shifted when they swapped Davis for Don\u010di\u0107, who thrives with a lob threat.<\/p>\n
While Kessler isn\u2019t as agile as Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford, the Jazz center has become one of the league\u2019s top rim protectors, fitting perfectly with the Lakers’ defensive system.<\/p>\n
However, it seems unlikely that the Jazz would settle for just a first-round pick and a young player in exchange for Kessler.<\/p>\n
Leading up to the trade deadline, ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported that the Jazz consistently rejected offers from the Lakers due to their inability to meet the steep asking price for their star center.<\/p>\n
Utah\u2019s High Asking Price<\/p>\n
In December, Michael Scotto of Hoopshype revealed that the Jazz\u2019s asking price for Kessler was at least two first-round picks.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeams inquiring about Kessler\u2019s availability have been told that it will take at least two first-round picks to secure him from the Jazz, a high asking price,\u201d Scotto noted at the time.<\/p>\n
The price for Kessler this summer may differ from what it was previously, given his development into a more accomplished player with no injury history, unlike Williams, who the Lakers initially thought was worth Knecht, a pick swap, and their 2031 first-round pick.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Jazz might not value the Lakers’ 2031 pick as highly anymore, especially if Don\u010di\u0107 signs an extension this summer to stay in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Rich Paul Uncertain on LeBron James\u2019 Return Timetable<\/p>\n
Although the Lakers\u2019 primary concern remains the center position, their biggest challenge heading into the season\u2019s final stretch is LeBron James’ health.<\/p>\n
ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported on March 9 that James is expected to miss at least one to two weeks due to a groin strain.<\/p>\n
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul was uncertain when his client would return from the injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows his body better than anyone, so we have to follow his lead,\u201d Paul said on \u201cThe Pat McAfee Show\u201d on March 11. \u201cI won\u2019t set a timetable. I\u2019ll let LeBron decide what\u2019s best. He has a great trainer and medical staff with the Lakers, and Mike Nancias (Lakers athletic trainer) leads that for him, so I\u2019ll just stay in step with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lakers Expected to Pursue Double-Double Center in Bold Offseason Move. The Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 primary objective this offseason is to secure a starting-caliber center after their failed attempt to acquire Mark Williams. In a recent article, Bleacher Report\u2019s Greg Swartz suggested a trade that could help the Lakers land a much-needed starting center to pair […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2586],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lakers"],"yoast_head":"\n