The Los Angeles Lakers must make it a priority to trade for one notable Utah Jazz star, after he showed them what he can bring against their city rivals.

The Utah Jazz are currently in the middle of a massive blowout against the LA Clippers, leading them by 28 points heading into the fourth quarter.

While Lauri Markkanen has been instrumental in helping the Jazz build up this massive lead, there has been another performer who has been on another level.

As many fans know, Walker Kessler has long been an LA Lakers trade target. And tonight’s performance just showed why they should make landing him their main priority.

And with Kessler currently frustrated with the Jazz, there is no better time for them to make a move, cutting off Danny Ainge’s ability to make amends with the young star.

Walker Kessler delivering on both ends of the court

Walker Kessler led the entire game in scoring with 22 points. But along with that, he had 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

Kessler even showed improvement in his three-point shooting, going a perfect 2-2 from beyond the arc against the Clippers.

It has been a very impressive outing from the fourth-year star. And if his offensive numbers weren’t impressive enough, Kessler has also made an impact on the defensive end.

During the game, Kessler had 2 steals and 4 blocks, making life really difficult for the LA Clippers in the painted area.

This is exactly the kind of numbers the LA Lakers would want from their starting center. Having a center that makes an impact on both ends of the court is crucial to unlocking Luka Doncic’s game.

Doncic is at his best when he has a rim-protecting center that can be a lob threat. And even though it’s only been one game, it’s hard to see Deandre Ayton filling that role.

LA Lakers need to be active and land Walker Kessler

There has never been a better opportunity for the LA Lakers to make a move for Walker Kessler. Based on tonight’s performance, both he and Lauri Markkanen are going to hurt their ability to tank.

Markkanen is expected to be traded this season for this reason, and it’s not a stretch to say the same about Walker Kessler.

The notoriously frugal and conservative approach from Rob Pelinka must be put to the side, as Kessler is the perfect teammate for Luka Doncic.

While negotiating with the Jazz won’t be easy, as Danny Ainge still regrets helping Lakers land Doncic, Pelinka must at least make an effort to land the

What would the LA Lakers need to trade for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler?

The Los Angeles Lakers have long been linked to Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler as a rumored trade fit and a potential perfect big man to acquire into the fold for their future endeavors.

During last trade deadline and the past couple of summers, the Lakers have seemingly been at the top of the list as an interested suitor to trade for Kessler, if the Jazz were ever interested in dealing their cornerstone big man. As a pairing next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the young defensive anchor could hypothetically fit like a glove into their frontcourt as a name to add in for the long haul.

However, it seems if the Lakers were truly interested in acquiring Kessler via trade, it would take an extensive package from LA for the Jazz to ultimately consider it.

According to Lakers Daily, the Jazz's rumored asking price for a Kessler trade with the Lakers would include Austin Reaves and two first round picks.

“The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler," Ashish Mathur wrote. "One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector.”

It's far from a shock that the Jazz hold Kessler in high regard, as the fourth-year big man comes off a career year in which he posted his best averages for points and rebounds, and further cemented himself as a key piece for the foreseeable future in Utah.

There have also been recent reports of Kessler and the Jazz not coming to a contract extension this summer, which could inevitably open that door for a trade to be more possible than it's been for the past two seasons. But, even if the Jazz big man is being shopped around the league, it's hard to see Utah's front office accepting anything less than a strong package if they were to deal him.

For the Lakers, Reaves and two firsts is a high ask, and one that might be unattainable for the Jazz, but it could also be a win-win scenario from Utah's perspective.

If that is a trade package deemed acceptable for both sides, the Jazz get another core component of the future to work with in Reaves and a pair of new first-rounders to add to their already steep stockpile. If the Lakers aren't willing to part ways with that haul, Utah can be content in inking their young big man to an extension later next summer to stick to their existing plan in place.

Odds are, the latter of those is the more likely outcome of the two, but if the Lakers want to get aggressive in their pursuit of a defensive anchor for years to come, we now know the price it would take to make that happen.

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