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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 offseason with the goal of building a legitimate title contender around Luka Doncic. But reports from ESPN's Dave McMenamin indicated that, before Doncic left LA for the summer, he told the front office that he's going to need one thing in order to make that happen, an "A-list center."
For weeks, Lakers fans had their sights set on one name, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. But now, acquiring him just became a lot more difficult.
According to The Athletic, the Jazz officially issued Kessler his qualifying offer on Monday, making him a restricted free agent. Utah also declined team options on Bez Mbeng and Hayden Gray, though both players will remain with the team for Summer League evaluation.
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While the qualifying offer was widely expected, it gives the Jazz the ability to match any outside offer sheet, dramatically strengthening their leverage whether they choose to keep Kessler or negotiate a trade.
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Selected No. 22 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Auburn, Kessler has quickly developed into one of the league's premier rim protectors thanks to his elite shot-blocking ability, rebounding, and efficient scoring around the basket.
In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 11.1 points, a career-high 12.2 rebounds (fifth most in the NBA), and a league-leading 2.4 blocks per game, while shooting 66.3% from the floor. He was limited to just five games last year due to season-ending left shoulder surgery, but he still averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks on 70.3% shooting in those games.
He's 7-foot-2, 245 pounds, can set hard screens, finish lobs, protect the paint, and control the glass, exactly the type of player the Lakers need if they want to compete with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, or Chet Holmgren and the Thunder.
At 24 years old, Kessler felt like the perfect fit for what LA has spent years searching for. But now, the Lakers, as well as any other interested team, have to account for the Jazz's ability to match any offer that comes his way. And Utah can demand a premium return if it decides to move on from one of its foundational young players.
If Doncic truly wants an elite rim protector, Rob Pelinka may need to either pay significantly more to get one or go in a different direction entirely.
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