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Utah Jazz trade Walker Kessler to Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s what they’re getting back.

The Jazz will get two first-round draft picks and pick swaps by dealing Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) shoots a three as the Utah Jazz host the Washington Wizards, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) shoots a three as the Utah Jazz host the Washington Wizards, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

By https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/684b2f12-8528-496e-97cc-4cfa23d2fc8b.jpg Jason Batacao
 | July 1, 2026, 9:55 a.m.
| Updated: 2:40 p.m.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Jazz are receiving the Lakers’ unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 in the trade, according to ESPN.

Kessler will sign a four-year, $130 million deal to join Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves this offseason.

Kessler was a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, which meant the Jazz could have matched any deal the center received in free agency.

With Kessler gone, the Jazz added some depth at center.

The team agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes on Wednesday, ESPN reported.

It’s a two-year, $12 million deal. The second season of the contract is a team option.

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https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/684b2f12-8528-496e-97cc-4cfa23d2fc8b.jpg
Jason BatacaoUniversity of Utah sports reporter

Jason Batacao, a former Oklahoma City resident who graduated from the University of Oklahoma, covers the University of Utah for The Salt Lake Tribune. When he’s not covering the Utes, Jason enjoys watching movies, playing on his Xbox Series X and reading books.