The Los Angeles Lakers are being predicted to pursue a high-value trade for a shooting center worth $125 million to serve as a backup for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, according to a report from The Sporting News.
Hunter Cookston reported on November 9, 2026, that the Lakers could be involved in a "monster deal" to acquire a center with perimeter shooting ability. The unnamed player would theoretically provide depth behind Kessler, though Kessler currently plays for the Jazz, not the Lakers.
No specific player was identified in the prediction, and the report did not detail which assets the Lakers would send in return. The speculation highlights Los Angeles' ongoing search for frontcourt depth and shooting at the center position.
