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Lakers slapped with Danny Ainge warning over bombshell Walker Kessler trade with Jazz
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- Lakers slapped with Danny Ainge warning over bombshell Walker Kessler trade with Jazz
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The Los Angeles Lakers ' blockbuster acquisition of Walker Kessler has already drawn praise for addressing the team's biggest need, but one NBA executive believes the franchise may have paid a steep price to make the deal happen.
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After pivoting to a new era centered around Luka Doncic following LeBron James' departure , the Lakers acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade before signing the young center to a four-year, $130 million contract. To complete the deal, Los Angeles surrendered two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two pick swaps.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the trade has sparked debate across the league, particularly because of Utah executive Danny Ainge 's reputation as one of the NBA's toughest negotiators.
"Speaking of trends, being tall is back in fashion, and the league is spending to get it."
Windhorst noted that executives around the league have been surprised by the value attached to centers during free agency and the trade market.
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"League executives have been struck by the money being spent on centers this summer. The Lakers traded two first-rounders, two second-rounders and two swaps to Utah in a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler , whom they hope will become their franchise center for Luka Doncic 's prime years, and then Los Angeles signed him to a four-year, $130 million deal."
One NBA personnel director then offered a pointed warning about negotiating with the Jazz front office.
"There's several teams who wanted Kessler for a few years, and if it had been a truly open market, other teams might've been willing to make a similar [trade] offer."
"But I'd be worried about doing a big deal with the Ainges [Jazz front office leaders Danny and Austin] just on principle."
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Lakers-Jazz trade reinforces Danny Ainge's reputation around NBA
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The comments reflect the long-standing perception around the league that Danny Ainge consistently extracts maximum value in trade negotiations. Throughout his executive career with both the Boston Celtics and the Jazz, Ainge has developed a reputation for driving hard bargains and accumulating significant draft capital.
From the Lakers' perspective, however, the price was worth paying to secure one of the league's premier young defensive centers. Kessler fills a long-standing need in the middle and gives Doncic an elite rim protector and lob threat to anchor the frontcourt.
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Los Angeles has since continued reshaping its roster by signing Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton while retaining Austin Reaves , signaling a full commitment to building around Doncic after James' exit.
Whether the Lakers ultimately surrendered too much for Kessler will likely be judged over the coming seasons. For now, Windhorst's reporting underscores that while many executives admire Kessler's talent, some remain wary of striking blockbuster deals with Danny Ainge and the Jazz.
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