Lakers Keep Pursuit of Walker Kessler as Clippers Re-Sign Kobe Sanders
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Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers remain focused on acquiring Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, league sources told The Stein Line. The organization is also expected to add free-agent forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili and guard Quentin Grimes, according to the report.
Kessler, a restricted free agent, sits atop the Lakers’ offseason wish list. To secure the 22-year-old, Los Angeles would have to negotiate a sign-and-trade with Utah or submit an offer sheet the Jazz decline to match.
Jazz
Utah retains full matching rights on Kessler and has leverage in any potential deal. The 7-footer has met with several teams since free agency opened and has fielded proposals in the mid-to-high $30 million annual range, some including player options, The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line added that the Jazz previously presented a five-year offer worth roughly $140 million, but talks stalled when Kessler’s representatives viewed the proposal as non-negotiable. The Lakers and Detroit Pistons—who hold restricted free agent Jalen Duren—are among the teams monitoring the situation.
Clippers
Across town, the Los Angeles Clippers have reached a four-year agreement worth about $11.2 million with restricted free-agent wing Kobe Sanders, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Law Murray of The Athletic noted that only the first two seasons are guaranteed.
Sanders averaged 7.3 points while shooting above 40 percent from three-point range as a rookie after beginning last season on a two-way contract. The Clippers still must address the restricted free agency of Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller.
Source: Hoops Wire
