Lakers NBA odds: Walker Kessler addition gives Los Angeles major post-LeBron James boost
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Lakers agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz for 7-footer Walker Kessler on Wednesday, improving their 2027 title odds from +4500 to +3000 at BetMGM after LeBron James's departure.
- Kessler averaged 14.4 points on 70.3% shooting, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in his five games last season before season-ending surgery; the prior season he averaged 2.4 blocks per game — second only to Victor Wembanyama since his debut.
- Lakers sent Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, leaving them with only a 2032 first-round swap among five near-term trade assets they started the offseason with.
- Kessler had turned down a five-year, $140 million extension from the Jazz last month before the trade, suggesting he wanted out of Salt Lake City, and was a restricted free agent Utah could have matched.
- Lakers also signed Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili on the same day, but none of those moves moved the betting needle.
- The Kessler acquisition effectively takes the Lakers out of the running for Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren, whom Detroit has said it would match any offer on.
- Warriors, presumed to be LeBron's next team, now sit at the same +3000 title price at BetMGM after taking 45% of all championship bets since Monday — the most of any team in the league.
Why it matters: The Lakers mortgaged four of their five near-term first-round assets for a rim protector they have needed since shipping Anthony Davis to Dallas for Luka Doncic in February 2025. Kessler is a legitimate answer — second to only Wembanyama in blocks per game since his debut — but his career 54.5% free-throw shooting and lack of 3-point range cap his ceiling, and the Warriors now match L.A.'s +3000 price.
