The Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday.
Kessler, 24, will sign a four-year, $130-million deal with the Lakers, Charania added.
The news comes one day after LeBron James informed the Lakers he would be signing with a different team and that L.A. could move on without him.
Los Angeles didn’t wait long to make a big splash, bringing in Kessler to play alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for years to come.
Kessler only appeared in five games for the Jazz last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Before the injury, Kessler had been playing well, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 70.3 per cent from the field.
For his career, Kessler is averaging 9.5 points and 9.3 rebounds over 201 games all with the Jazz.
The Atlanta, Ga., native will head into his fifth NBA season with the Lakers after being drafted by Utah 22nd overall in 2022.