sports
Lakers complete sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler and add three free agents
The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler and signed three unrestricted free agents in roughly 35 minutes on Wednesday morning. The moves followed LeBron James informing the team he would continue his career elsewhere.
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The Los Angeles Lakers completed a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler with the Utah Jazz and signed three unrestricted free agents in about 35 minutes on Wednesday morning. The team had retained its cap space after LeBron James informed the Lakers on Tuesday morning that he would continue his career elsewhere.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss released a statement thanking James for his eight years with the franchise.
Roster changes The Lakers acquired Kessler, signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, and lost Marcus Smart to the Houston Rockets and Luke Kennard to the Phoenix Suns. The resulting roster is younger than last season's team. Multiple team sources told ESPN there was no personal rift between James and Luka Doncic.
Background on the moves The Lakers had inquired about Kessler as early as the 2023-24 season but were rebuffed because Utah's asking price was too high. Utah became more willing to move the 24-year-old this offseason after he became a restricted free agent seeking a large raise.
A source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN that James concluded it was time to move on after the Lakers were swept in the second round of the playoffs. The same source said James wanted to extend his career playing meaningful, competitive basketball.
