NBA Rumors: Lakers Longtime 7'2 Trade Target Eyeing $120M Contract in 2026 Free Agency

LA Lakers' longtime trade target Walker Kessler will enter restricted free agency in the 2026 NBA offseason. According to insider Grant Afseth, the Utah Jazz center has sought a contract upwards of $120 million. Kessler will have the opportunity to negotiate with the Jazz, but also with other teams.

However, Utah will have the final call on retaining his services. In restricted free agency, a team can match the offer sheet from a suitor for its player coming off a rookie-scale contract. Here's what Afseth wrote on Friday:

"In contract discussions with the Jazz, Kessler sought upwards of $120 million in total compensation for a long-term contract extension, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com, but Utah was unwilling to commit to that price range.

"'There was a clear gap in talks between Kessler and Utah,' one source said."

"If Kessler hits free agency after finishing the season with the Jazz, he’d need to go out and find that type of offer on the open market to get it matched."

The Lakers can once again emerge as suitors for Walker Kessler's services. They added Deandre Ayton last summer, who has been solid on a team-friendly two-year $16.2 million deal. However, Kessler, 24, is a younger and long-term option alongside Luka Doncic.

Ayton has been efficient on the offensive end, but defensively, he has certain limitations. Kessler is the opposite in that regard, as one of the league's premier shotblockers. He has averaged 2.4 blocks in 201 career games.

The Lakers can generate up to $54 million in cap space next summer. They can sign the most lucrative free agents for that sum. LA also has up to three first-round picks to trade if it doesn't move on at the deadline, so a sign-and-trade for Kessler could also be on the cards.

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LA Lakers could compete with Indiana Pacers, among others, for Walker Kessler

The Indiana Pacers could be the most aggressive team in pursuing a center next summer. They lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025 free agency, leaving a massive void at the five long-term alongside centerpieces Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.

As Haliburton recovers from an Achilles surgery this year, the Pacers will use their resources to scout Turner's replacement. Walker Kessler's name has emerged as a potential target, according to KSL Sports.

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The Indiana Pacers have interest in Walker Kessler, per @kslsports

If the Jazz are open to moving on from Kessler, they might prefer to move him to the Eastern Conference. Moreover, the Pacers also have better assets than the Lakers in a sign-and-trade.