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Lakers are interested in a young and promising center

Maybe the Los Angeles Lakers, who are off to a 3-0 start to the new NBA season, are better than quite a few national experts thought. Maybe they’re not even that far away from becoming a championship contender and just need time to gel and one more roster piece.

Although Anthony Davis was playing at an MVP level to start the year, they do have a hole at backup center. Jaxson Hayes’ play has been sloppy and Christian Wood is still out after undergoing knee surgery a few weeks ago. The Lakers signed 2022 second-round pick Christian Koloko in hopes he would help, but the seven-footer has yet to be cleared by the NBA after missing last season due to a blood clot issue.

According to The Athletic beat writer Jovan Buha, they were interested in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler during a recent episode of “Buha’s Block” (h/t Sports Illustrated).

“I think we need more time to see which guys become available,” Buha said (49:25). “I think Walker Kessler is a name the Lakers are interested in that would make a lot of sense and allow you to either start a two-big look or probably more realistically bring him off the bench.”

Kessler is a promising young center for Utah who has already developed into a good rebounder and shot blocker. Last season, he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game after being selected No. 22 in the 2022 draft. Standing six feet tall and weighing At 245 pounds, he has a seven-foot-six wingspan, although he is not a very mobile center in terms of foot speed.

Still, he would be a great addition to LA, at least if Jazz executive Danny Ainge, the former Boston Celtics guard, is willing to sell him to the Purple and Gold.

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