The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have a meeting scheduled with Jalen Duren, one of the centers who has been linked to them in recent weeks. Duren, 22, had a breakout season with the Detroit Pistons and was named to the NBA All-Star Game, and he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.
Another starting-level center who has been linked to the Lakers is Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz. He will reportedly meet with teams in Los Angeles once the NBA’s free agency period officially begins on Tuesday, and the Lakers will reportedly be one of those teams, according to Evan Sidery.
The Lakers will be among the teams set to meet with Walker Kessler once free agency begins.
Whether via sign-and-trade or straight offer sheet, Los Angeles appears to covet Kessler as a priority big man target to pair alongside Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/zOFh2LwfBe
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 29, 2026
Of all the centers L.A. has been linked to, Kessler may be the most ideal fit. He will turn 25 years of age in July, and in his four pro seasons, he has established himself as an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker.
He has career averages of 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game, and while he played in just five games this season due to a shoulder injury, he showed some very preliminary signs of expanding his offense to the 3-point line, where he hit six of his eight attempts.
Kessler will be a restricted free agent, which means the Jazz have the right to match any offers he receives from other teams. But center Jusuf Nurkić, who played well as their starter while Kessler was out, agreed to a two-year deal on Monday to remain with them, which has to make one wonder if it’s a sign that Kessler could leave.
Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 26.4 minutes per game this season for Utah and started in 36 of his 41 games until undergoing season-ending nose surgery.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Reporter: Walker Kessler will meet with Lakers
