Stateline, NV -- The Los Angeles Lakers made one of the biggest signings of the NBA offseason with the sign-and-trade acquisition of Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. The move cost the Lakers unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, as well as pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
Austin Reaves believes it was worth it.
I got a chance to speak with Reaves at the end of the first round of the 2026 American Century Championship on Friday. Reaves was tied for 25th in the 90-person field. Points-wise, Reaves is one good day from being back in the annual Lake Tahoe-hosted celebrity golf tournament's mix. Coverage of the ACC continues through Sunday on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, and Peacock.
When I asked the former Oklahoma Sooner and Wichita State Shocker his thoughts on teaming up with the one-year Auburn Tigers great, Reaves broke down exactly why Kessler was so needed in Purple and Gold.
"I'm very excited. We needed someone at the 5 who could protect the rim and catch lobs, and make plays in the pocket. He's the type of player who could do that, and we're very excited to have him," Reaves told me.
As I began my question, the moment I mentioned the franchise's Kessler addition, Reaves loudly proclaimed, "Yup!" Sometimes guys give player-speak answers about new teammates, knowing they need to save face and simply give a toe-the-line political answer.
When it comes to Kessler, Reaves' excitement is as authentic as it gets. Those two are the future of the Lakers franchise, and their games are perfect matches on the hardwood. Why wouldn't he be excited?
Luka's place as Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler's co-star is unclear long-term
Luka Doncic may or may not be the third head of the King Ghidorah in LA beyond the next two seasons. Doncic's contract is up in 2028. So far, the Lakers have won a single playoff game with Doncic on the roster. To be fair, Doncic didn't play during the 2026 NBA Playoffs due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Now, to be fair to the players who made LA's first-round playoff series win over the Houston Rockets possible, Doncic was absent for that series. Reaves was not, though. Reaves' own return from injury helped lead the Lakers over a game Rockets team. Though LA got swept by the OKC Thunder, Reaves shined in Game 2 with a 31-point performance.
Combine the 2026 successes with his being an integral part of the Lakers' run to the 2023 Western Conference Finals, in his second season, no less, and you realize that Reaves is someone who's actually proven more in LA than his Slovenian backcourt mate.
If Luka doesn't return to the Lakers in 2028 NBA free agency, or somehow forces his way out before then, Reaves and Kessler are probably enough of a core to do serious damage in the Western Conference anyway.
Who knows? Maybe investing so heavily in Reaves and Kessler was Rob Pelinka and Co.'s way of challenging Doncic to prove he deserves to be as ball-dominant as he is before re-investing in him long-term.
If Doncic doesn't dominate between now and 2028, why not just hand the reins to Reaves and let him and Kessler be a pick-and-roll and give-and-go nightmare for the Association's other 29 teams?
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