Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler in trade with the Utah Jazz 🚨 | First Take

Breaking news in here on First Take.CHAMS reporting for Reagent Center, Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three -year, $47 .4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics.He's got a player option in the third season after leading Knicks to a championship in a role -player position.He is now moving on to the Boston Celtics.David, your reaction?

I mean, I, you know, it was great what he did with the Knicks and it was time for them to part.I don't really know what this means for the Celtics that we figure out what the Jalen Brown trade looks like.It seems like this is more signaling of him being out very soon, but we just do not know what that roster is going to look like around Mitch Robson.I don't think he is a starter level center.That's going to be that much of a difference maker on the squad.But I also don't know what kind of difference maker Boston is going to make overall until we see the package to get for Jalen Brown.

This is a pretty interesting move by the Celtics.The Celtics needed center help.You know, they've been thin at the front line position since they had to lose Al Horford and they traded away Chris Absporzingas last year.And they've signaled that they want Nimi Keita, their terrific pickup from a couple of years ago at low money, to be their future center.And so they bring in Mitchell Robinson, I think, here as a backup.And this is a quality signing for a backup position here.

This is the mid -level salary.you know, about what he was making last year, give or take a little bit of money, and he's obviously proven that he can be very impactful.The Celtics have immense respect for him, because last year when they played in the playoffs, Joe Mizzoula's central game plan was to foul the heck out of him to get him off the court.They believe that Mitchell Robinson is a very important player, so they're backing it up here with, you know, with this move.Now, they have, in the past, guys, they have wanted to have at least one center who can stretch the floor.That's why they went out and got Porzingis.

That's why they kept Horford.That's why they went out and traded for Nikola Vucevic last year.Vucevic actually signed with the Magic this morning.So this will be two centers.Keita didn't make a three -pointer last year.You're certainly not having Mitch Robinson take a shot from more than three or four feet from the basket.

So this is leaning into pretty much always having a non -shooter on the court.But beyond that, it is a — you know, look, a lot has been said about analytics and the Boston Celtics in recent days.The analytics of the Boston Celtics department believes that Mitchell Robinson is an analytical star.because they made it a central part of their game plan to get him off the court.So I'm sure they're pretty pleased with this move, not only getting him, but also taking him away from the Knicks, who follow Jim Dolan's words and do not go into the second apron.They right now only have about $8 million they could have offered him.

This is not quite double that, but pretty close.And so this is what happens.You win a championship and you draw a line at your spending.Sometimes you lose role players.

That's the thing that fascinates me about all this.So many people are going to be disappointed that Mitchell Robinson will no longer be a New York Knick and going to the hated Boston Celtics.Like, on its face, you're looking at Mitchell Robinson, you're saying, this guy plays 18 minutes to nine, he's a backup center.He's one of the best, if not the best by minute offensive rebounders in NBA history.I've seen him win games just off the strength of you got to put two bodies on him.He gets an offensive rebound.

He kicks out for three.That was a huge cog in this New York Knicks offense.So much of this goes through Carl Towns and Jalen Brunson, but it was truly one of those team -wide efforts.Now, you go to the Boston Celtics, where clearly they needed help in the front court.You don't know what's going to happen with Jalen Brown, but I am fascinated to see where this all goes from here.Because yeah, Analytical Freak, the analytics, the numbers, they love Mitchell Robinson, even if he's only going to play 15 to 20 minutes a night.

All right, we've got some more breaking news here on Fox.Take.The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz.Kessler will sign a massive four -year $130 million deal with the Lakers.Wendy, we were just talking about how restricted free agents don't usually sign offer sheets with new teams.First time that that's happened since Bogdan Bogdanovich in 2020.

Your reaction to this news?

This is a very significant development and a home run for the Lakers because even though it cost them these two first -round picks, Gideon Walker -Kessler is exactly the type of player that they needed to put alongside and behind Austin Reeves and Luka Doncic.And you say massive, if that contract number is accurate that's not too bad that is that you know that is not anywhere near a max contract that is about unless my math is wrong here i'm just going to check it to make sure that i'm not i'm not crazy 32 million 32 and a half million is a reasonable number for walker kessler that is not You know, as I'm reacting in real time here, I do not see that as an overpay.Like, if you had to give him 40, 45 million in an offer sheet, yeah, that's very interesting.It also gives the Jazz some ammunition to go out and do some other things that we'll talk about later.This is what the Lakers needed so bad.They had to come out of this offseason with a center, and they've done so.

This is arguably one of the best, you know, they've coveted him for a year.They've wanted this guy.They've tried to trade for him multiple times before.They've targeted him.This is absolutely smacking it.Now, he's coming off a year where he missed a whole year with injury, had to have shoulder surgery.

But big body, 7 '2", rim -rolling threat, defend the rim.Absolutely love this move for the Lakers.And I'm not devastated by the price, either in dollars or in dollars.

I know the picks are gonna hurt a little bit but feel pretty good and the Lakers will still have the salary cap space to make a couple more signings big big step forward for LA here yeah it signals a number of things for me one I said hope it's not a strategy apparently the Lakers had a little bit more than hope right but 32 and a half million dollars for a player who lobbed threat Defensive Center, somebody that can play alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, huge.As long as he has passed this torn labrum situation that limit him to five games this season.Yeah, the draft picks are going to hurt.Subsequently, this also takes a potential suitor away from Jalen Duren and free agency of a player who you're going to have to sign a max contract offer sheet to, and it sets a market of $32 .5 million for what a going rate for what the center market could look like.So this could be a domino effect, but it also shows you that is one of the main things that the Lakers needed.They needed to go get a rim running center who could also defend big critical signing.

Wendy, get back in here.I see your hand.I have a more complete understanding and two first round pick swaps in 28 and 30.Okay, now I'm processing this a little bit more differently.So, I still like it.I still like it for the Lakers.

Big time price.So, basically, the Lakers have trading their entire draft control from 28, well, not their entire, but 28, 30, 31, and 33.So, Let me just, and I apologize, I'm just reacting in real time.So basically what the Jazz are doing here is they're acquiring two picks in what they think will be post -Luka Doncic prime years.Unprotected.So, you know, that's right there.

It's a little prickly.I don't, I'm not,gonna just feel too great about that, but okay, I think they get this center.The pick swaps.28, you're not so worried about.30, I don't know.

So this is a pretty big draft haul for the Jazz.When I first heard it, I was not sure why the Jazz did it.I now feel a little bit with more clarity.This is a very big price.They're paying a big price.The one thing I'll just say is because the salary isn't wild, I feel okay about it.

But boy, that's four big draft assets.That's a lot, Courtney.

Yeah, Danny Ainge is leaving out here with something.That's what we know about him and that squad.This is your court now.This is Luka, Austin Reeves, Walker Kessler.This is the Lakers court that you're talking about.This is why you move on from LeBron James and you say, this is how we're going to fill out this roster.

Now, you got to figure out what to put around this because if you're Plank and you're that front office, you have visions of a championship parade and a float with Luka, Dodges, Austin Reeves and Kessler there and nope, and because you have mortgaged the picks.to get this head.The pigs extend beyond the life of the country.Yeah, beyond that.This is a lot for the Lakers.Way beyond.

Now you got to figure out how to make it work.

Look at us manifesting things.I mentioned Mitchell Robinson.We come back after a break.He ends up going to the Boston Celtics.We say RFAs, don't go anywhere else.And now Walker Kessler is on the move to the Los Angeles Lakers.