Lakers Acquire Walker Kessler in Trade with Jazz, Add Three Free Agents

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in exchange for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler agreed to a four-year, $130 million contract that includes a player option for the fourth season and a full trade kicker.

Free-agent additions The Lakers also reached agreements with forward Sandro Mamukelashvili on a four-year, $52 million deal, guard Quentin Grimes on a four-year, $60 million contract, and guard Collin Sexton on a two-year, $19 million deal that includes a player option.

Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range last season with the Raptors. Grimes averaged 13.3 points in 75 games last season after being traded to the 76ers. Sexton averaged 15.4 points per game last season while splitting time between the Hornets and Bulls.

7-foot-2, averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in 2024-25 before missing most of last season following shoulder surgery. The Jazz had offered Kessler a five-year, roughly $140 million extension last summer that he declined. The Lakers had inquired about Kessler multiple times in recent years before completing the deal this week.