Lakers Rumor Roundup: Jarred Vanderbilt trade value, Walker Kessler and more

With the trade deadline approaching, the rumors are really starting to heat up around the Lakers, including on Jarred Vanderbilt’s value and the potential of a Walker Kessler deal.

The Lakers are heading into yet another important trade deadline, and upgrades are needed. The pressure is on not just externally but, reportedly, internally as well.

Will that be enough to push them toward a deal? The answer to that will come sometime over the next two weeks.

For now, let’s take a look at the latest rumors and reports around the Lakers.

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Jarred Vanderbilt’s trade value

When Jarred Vanderbilt takes the floor on Saturday against the Warriors after being medically cleared this week, it’ll be his first NBA game in nearly a year.

If he stays healthy now, the Lakers will have another rotation piece and, perhaps just as importantly, a tradeable mid-sized contract ahead of the deadline. However, as Dan Woike wrote in his newsletter for the LA Times on Thursday, if the Lakers want to move Vando, it could cost them some signficant draft capital.

“Vanderbilt has three years remaining on his deal — the kind of long-term money that’s poison in trades. Multiple NBA executives believe the cost to include Vanderbilt in a trade is a first-round pick, meaning he’s far more valuable to the Lakers as a usable player than he would be as part of a trade in which they would have to add assets and essentially be overpaying for whatever they got back.”

In this new tax apron world, everyone is learning the new limits of what’s possible and logical to get deals done. Given that Vando signed a four-year $48 million contract back in 2023, you’d think such a deal on a quality defensive wing would be a non-issue in a trade.

However, with Vando being out for so long, a multi-year commitment for another team seems like a risk that will only be acceptable if a first-round pick is added. Lakers fans should consider this whenever they enter the NBA trade machine and try to make a deal.

It’s not just about ensuring that a trade makes financial sense. Contract length and health are also factors to consider.

Vando must prove his health for other teams to be enticed to trade for him. In that case, the Lakers are better off keeping him and seeing how he performs in Redick’s system.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6, so the Lakers' window to make a move is closing.

And with reports that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are losing hope that the Lakers can make a trade, the front office is under pressure to give their dynamic duo another shot at the title.

It seems that any kind of deal that helps get that done won’t include Vanderbilt.

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Lakers draft picks considered valuable?

ESPN’s Shams Charania is as locked in as any NBA insider and he has some new updates on the Lakers’ situation heading toward the deadline.

He appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and detailed where things stand with the Lakers and their attempts to upgrade the roster.

“The Lakers are doing their due diligence to see what’s out there. The problem is, in terms of the trade market, who’s there that can make a difference? I think LeBron James, Anthony Davis, your two star players, I think they want to see some urgency, some activity with the Lakers and their front office to go out and go get another piece or two.

From my understanding, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis feel…like if they get another piece or two, that they can really be legitimate title contenders. And when your best players feel that way, I think the Lakers will be active. They’ll continue to do their due diligence. They have two first round picks they can play. Those picks, so far out, 2029, 2031, the value on those picks is immense.”

Having a pair of first-round picks right now that are easily tradeable is highly coveted. With the picks being in 2029 and 2031, if you believe the Lakers will be rebuilding at that point, they could be very high lottery picks.

Getting one or two of those picks in upcoming seasons can bolster a rebuild and give a franchise multiple shots at potentially landing a superstar.

The Lakers owning such desirable assets is great, but as Charania mentions, teams must be willing to let go of that value or a trade will not happen.

LeBron and AD certainly seem ready to let go of these picks for a ready-now player. Let’s see if the Lakers can find a player they want and a team willing to take a pick or two in exchange for them.

Can the Lakers trade for Walker Kessler?

One of the players the Lakers have been connected to is Utah Jazz big Walker Kessler.

It’s been reported the Lakers are looking for a center and he’s a young double-double machine who would certainly be a valuable young player moving forward.

Charania appeared on “First Take” and discussed the challenges of Kessler going to the Lakers based on the Jazz’s asking price.

Without hearing the full details of this theoretical deal, one imagines it likely includes both first-rounders and some quality rotation-level players. Vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka will have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks.

Is it worth overpaying to make a deal to potentially put the Lakers in contention even if it hurts both in the long and short term?

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.