The Los Angeles Lakers signed Deandre Ayton this offseason in free agency, addressing their need for a center. Ayton became a free agent after getting bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Luka Doncic, who signed a three-year extension with LAL this offseason, recruited Ayton to the Lakers. The two players have the same agent, Bill Duffy.

Just because the Lakers signed Ayton, though, doesn’t mean they still don’t have eyes for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.

A league source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers will attempt to trade for Kessler again during the 2025-26 season. LAL tried to trade for Kessler the past two seasons.

Tony Jones of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Kessler and the Jazz will not agree to a rookie-scale extension. That means Kessler will become a restricted free agent next offseason once Utah offers him his qualifying offer.

An Atlanta native, Kessler is one of the best young centers in the NBA. He played in 58 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 66.3 percent from the field and 52.0 percent from the free-throw line. The 24-year-old had 28 double-doubles.

Kessler has career averages of 9.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. He will make $4.9 million during the 2025-26 season.

The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler. One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector.

LAL is expected to enter the 2025-26 season with its current roster unless the Miami Heat change their mind about an Andrew Wiggins trade. Head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Doncic, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton and bring newcomers Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia off the bench.

Many Lakers fans have been clamoring for Rob Pelinka to trade for Kessler. Pelinka has tried two years in a row and he will try again for a third time before the 2026 February trade deadline.

Only time will tell if the Jazz accept Pelinka’s offer this time around.