Former Auburn standout Walker Kessler is headed to one of the NBA's marquee franchises after agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal that sends the former Tigers center from the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kessler reportedly agreed to a four-year, $130 million contract with Los Angeles as part of the deal. In return, Utah will receive a significant package of future draft assets, including unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The move reunites one of the NBA's premier young rim protectors with a franchise looking to bolster its frontcourt as it builds around its new core.
For Auburn fans, the trade marks another major milestone in Kessler's rapid rise since his lone season on the Plains.
After transferring from North Carolina before the 2021-22 season, Kessler became one of the most dominant defensive players in college basketball under Bruce Pearl. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and an SEC-leading 4.6 blocks per game while earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC and consensus All-America honors. He also swept national defensive player of the year awards before becoming the No. 22 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Kessler quickly established himself with the Jazz after arriving as part of the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors during his first professional season. Despite being limited by injury last season, he averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 58 games while continuing to rank among the league's elite shot blockers.
Now, Kessler takes the next step in his career with one of the NBA's most recognizable franchises, giving Auburn another high-profile ambassador on one of basketball's biggest stages.
