Walker Kessler

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• Lakers' Walker Kessler: Traded to LAL, signs extension

  16D ago • By RotoWire

  The Jazz traded Kessler (shoulder) to the Lakers on Wednesday in exchange for two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Kessler will sign a four-year, $130 million deal with Los Angeles. LeBron James is leaving Los Angeles, and the Lakers are building around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic expressed his desire to play with a top-tier center, and it appears he got his wish, though Deandre Ayton is still under contract after picking up his player option. Kessler missed most of the 2025-26 campaign after undergoing left shoulder surgery, but he's expected to be healthy to start his Los Angeles tenure.

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• Jazz's Walker Kessler: To miss rest of season

  11/05/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kessler will undergo left shoulder surgery to address a torn labrum and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports. This is a devastating blow for the Jazz and for Kessler's fantasy managers, given his high price in drafts. Kessler made just five appearances before his season was abruptly ended, finishing with averages of 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals. With Kessler sidelined the remainder of the campaign, Jusuf Nurkic is likely to step into a full-time starting role. However, the Jazz could also utilize smaller lineups, and guys like Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks could see increased run.

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• Jazz's Walker Kessler: Undergoing further testing

  11/02/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kessler (shoulder) did not travel with the team to Charlotte and is undergoing further testing. Kessler was already set to miss his first game of the season Sunday and now appears at risk of missing the remainder of Utah's four-game road trip after staying behind to treat a left shoulder injury. Jusuf Nurkic is expected to start in his place Sunday and should handle the bulk of the center minutes for as long as the Auburn product is sidelined.

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• Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't play Sunday

  11/01/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kessler has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hornets due to shoulder bursitis, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Kessler will miss the front end of Utah's back-to-back set due to the shoulder issue, and his next chance to suit up will come Monday against the Celtics. With the big man sidelined, Kyle Filipowski, Jusuf Nurkic and Taylor Hendricks are candidates for increased minutes.

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• Jazz's Walker Kessler: Back on track in win

  10/28/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kessler closed Monday's 138-134 overtime victory over the Suns with 25 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 35 minutes. Kessler bounced back after a subpar showing during Friday's loss to the Kings, recording his first double-double of the season Monday. He also blocked four shots for the second time this season. Kessler is averaging 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers per game through three games.

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