In terms of picking favorites for the NBA, nobody expected the Los Angeles Lakers to be where they are. Coach JJ Redick has successfully brought the team together after they struggled under Darvin Ham’s leadership last year. However, they rose to a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference and face the Phoenix Suns tonight. As the team, alas, passes the ball to an open man and expresses their team cohesion on the court, it’s time for Rob Pelinka to get his phone directory ready.

The Lakers GM has a few names out there to target with Walker Kessler on speed dial. Reports came in from the Athletic about how Kessler remains high on the wishlist. But we may not see the trade in a flash. Of course, the center will be a much-needed boost for the team. He could provide some valuable minutes from the bench or become a starter.

Now, if you look at the Lakers’ roster, they have some players who could be on a tightrope entering the trade day. The 7’1″ frame of Kessler could swat balls into the stands, giving Anthony Davis a breather and taking some minutes off his heavy schedule. The player remains injury-prone and Kessler’s difference can give him some rest. Moreover, Jovan Buha of The Athletic got into the details regarding the players the Lakers can trade and Rui Hachimura’s name comes in. However, he wants the Lakers to keep the power forward.

He mentioned, “If he plays like this the rest of the season, I think the Lakers should keep him even if he’s playing like 80 to 90% of the way he’s been playing.” Listen to this – 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and a 3P% of 50 keep him in probably the untradeable list. How the tides have turned. The player leads his career for points scored, rebounds, and even assists. Redick’s got Hachi cookin’. Significantly, it points fingers to Pelinka who could scratch his head with this positive conundrum.

The Los Angeles Lakers can still make the trade happen with valuable assets!

Buha continued to analyze people, who the team can trade and spotted, “I think the Lakers should keep him if he regresses to the Denver Rui or some of the lows we have seen in the past. That’s when I am a little more open to trading him. But, of all the tradeable guys, in terms of like the midsize guys, which would be Rui, Dlo, Vando, and Gabe, I think Rui is the guy, if I’m the Lakers would fight to keep. I mean, ideally, you don’t trade him. I think at this point, he’s established himself.”

Those are some great players and everyone seems to perform. Yes, it’s still early days. But, positivity flows in the NBA and Lakers community. Significantly, D’Angelo Russell remains another reliable player on the team. The point guard can drive to make a layup or score threes in quick succession. If they trade the streaky scorer, then LeBron James might play point only for Kessler to come in at center.

Out of the others, Jarred Vanderbilt’s Lakers career might come to a close while Gabe Vincent could leave the franchise. For Kessler, he comes with energy and brute strength. The player averaged 3.6 blocks last season. The Lakers will have an impenetrable interior defense if this comes to pass. He can score points as well with 13.7 during last season.

All in, the Lakers fan base is buzzing. They have the team to put in a title contention, but it requires the addition of a final piece in the jigsaw. And guess what, Kessler might come in next.