“Utah Jazz Hold the SECRET to Unlocking the Lakers’ Full Potential—Find Out How!”

The Los Angeles Lakers, despite boasting two All-NBA players fresh from a gold medal run at the 2024 Olympics, are still viewed as long shots for a championship this season. To address their potential, the Lakers are exploring trades, with the Utah Jazz emerging as a key player in these discussions.

One major target for Los Angeles is Walker Kessler of the Jazz. At 7’0″ and 245 pounds, Kessler is known for his defensive prowess and impressive rebounding, which would address the Lakers’ significant issues in these areas. Last season, he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. With the Lakers ranking last in offensive rebounding and 21st in points allowed in the paint last season, Kessler could be the solution they need.

Acquiring Kessler would likely require a first-round draft pick, as reported by Ian Begley. However, the Lakers might need to include additional assets, potentially a second first-round pick, due to Kessler’s rookie-scale contract and the challenge of matching salaries.

If the Lakers can’t secure Kessler, they could turn to another Jazz player, Collin Sexton. Sexton, who was previously mentioned as a potential target for the Lakers, could be a strong replacement for D’Angelo Russell, who has opted into his player option for the 2024-25 season but is reportedly available for trade.

Sexton, who averaged 18.7 points and 4.9 assists last season, could fulfill Russell’s role and offer a significant scoring boost. His stats translate to impressive per-36-minute averages, and if he can stay healthy, he might excel in a larger role with the Lakers.

The Lakers face the challenge of addressing their needs and finding the right trade to make a significant impact. The question remains: will they seize the opportunity to address these glaring issues effectively?