Lakers officially sign 7-foot-2 ex-Jazz elite shot blocker after Luka Doncic request

The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed 7-foot-2 center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz on July 1, 2026, in a sign-and-trade deal. Los Angeles sent two unprotected future first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah to complete the transaction. The move was reportedly made at the request of Lakers star point guard Luka Doncic, who sought an elite shot-blocking center.