Instant Grade: Jazz Sign-And-Trade Walker Kessler to Lakers
Instant Grade: Jazz Sign-And-Trade Walker Kessler to Lakers
Walker Kessler is on his way to the Los Angeles Lakers. Here's an instant grade for the Utah Jazz's latest move.Jared Koch|
In this story:
Utah JazzThe Utah Jazz are trading Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers.
You read that right.
After a long and drawn-out saga of contract talks between the Jazz and Kessler, Utah has decided to pivot off of their defensive anchor, shipping him out to Los Angeles to pair up with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Jazz will be receiving unprotected first-round picks from the Lakers in 2031 and 2033, while also landing first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler will be signing a four-year, $130 million deal with Los Angeles, including a player option in the fourth season.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
It's a huge move from the Lakers' behalf to land their center of the future. But for the Jazz, it now leaves them with some big-time questions moving forward.
Let's break it all down and give the Jazz an instant grade for their latest roster shake-up:
Jazz Opt Not to Pay Walker Kessler, Land Several Draft Assets in Return
The Jazz and Kessler had been looking for a middle ground within their contract negotiations for some time now. But clearly, the two sides were unable to strike an agreement on what his value was truly worth.
Earlier reports had indicated the Jazz offered Kessler a deal in the range of $140 million over five years before he inevitably hit restricted free agency; a deal that Kessler's camp declined, feeling he was not only worth more money, but also wanted a shorter-term contract.
In this signing with the Lakers, Kessler got exactly that. He landed one year less on his deal with the option to opt out in the fourth season of his contract in 2030, and struck an AAV of $32.5 million––an offer that Utah wasn't willing to pay out themselves.
So instead, they're able to get some assets in return for his departure. Two first-round picks and two draft swaps virtually give the Jazz control of the Lakers' draft capital for four of the next seven seasons, and add onto their already strong collection of future assets.
For the future of the Jazz's team-building plans, the move certainly helps provide them with more flexibility and optionality, instead of tying up that money in someone like Kessler.
At the same time, it does leave Utah needing to answer their newest void at the center position, and find another layer of rim protection to pair along with their trade deadline acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr.
How the Jazz decide to do that remains to be seen. But the Jazz do have their full $15 million mid-level exception to use on the free agent market to do so, as well as a new dose of draft capital, if they wanted to bring in a new center via trade.
In terms of an instant evaluation, the deal at least gets a passing grade. The Jazz aren't losing one of their key starters for nothing, and they have another nice set of assets to work with for the future.
However, the Jazz do still lose a key piece of their frontcourt; one who was a perfect timeline fit, filled their needs on the defensive end, and decided not to sign him for a deal that was only slightly higher in terms of AAV than their initially reported offer of $28 million per season.
The bold decision from the Jazz could end up looking a lot better in due time. If those Lakers draft picks and swaps pan out to be valuable, and Kessler plays below his newest contract value in LA, the Jazz may look wise in shipping out their defensive anchor.
But right now? The decision looks a little bit head-scratching.
The Jazz need to find a cheaper center that won't be at the same caliber as Kessler, and they moved off of him for a contract value that wasn't too high from what they had in mind themselves. When instead, they could've signed him now, let him work with this current young core that he fits well with, and dealt with the financial situation later.
Published 8 minutes ago
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the deputy editor of Utah Jazz On SI. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, contributing to Denver Broncos On SI, Indianapolis Colts On SI, and Sacramento Kings On SI. He has covered multiple NBA and NFL events on site, and his works have also appeared on Bleacher Report, MSN, and Yahoo.
Follow jjaredkochHome/News
Reds No. 1 Prospect Alfredo Duno Earns Major All-Star Week Honor
Reds No. 1 Prospect Alfredo Duno Earns Major All-Star Week Honor
It's the second year in a row that he will get to participate. Greg Kuffner|
In this story:
Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds will once again have one of their top prospect on display during All-Star Week.
Reds No. 1 prospect Alfredo Duno has been named to the Futures Game roster for the second straight season. The game will be played on Sunday, July 12, at noon ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and will air on NBC.
The honor comes just days after Duno earned a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga, another significant step in what has been an impressive 2026 season for the 20-year-old catcher.
MLB Pipeline recently praised Duno's overall development, writing:
“More athletic than you might think when looking at his strong 6-foot-2 frame, Duno should be able to stick behind the plate, especially if he manages his body well so he can remain agile, and the Reds were happy with his offseason work in this regard. Combine that with his plus arm strength, hard work in all aspects of his game, including learning English, and he has the makings of a big league starting backstop.”
Duno has certainly backed up the hype this season. Across 65 games, he's slashing .260/.390/.512 with 29 extra-base hits while continuing to show the offensive upside that has made him one of the top catching prospects in baseball. He's also handled a heavy workload behind the plate, catching 55 games while serving as the designated hitter in the other 10. However, his defensive production is still way behind his offense.
Sal Stewart Makes History in Tuesday's Loss to Brewers
In Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Sal Stewart hit a first inning home run to put the Reds on top 1-0. Stewart's 16th home run of the season continued his historic rookie campaign. Only Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has hit more home runs as a Reds rookie through the club's first 85 games, launching 20 in 1956.
Reds manager Terry Francona praised Stewart's ability to hit after the game.
“He’s just a really good hitter. He uses the whole field. A lot of times with young guys, they want to hit for power before they learn how to hit. He knows how to hit. And he’s strong enough and a good enough hitter that he gets rewarded when he goes the other way.”
The 22-year-old is slashing .257/.342/.467 with 35 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases for the Reds this season.
You can hear Francona's comments on Stewart below:
Published 1 minute ago
GREG KUFFNERGreg Kuffner a contributor to Reds On SI. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and worked for the Sports Information Department during his time as a student. He follows all things Reds year round, including the minor league system.
Follow RedsDaily4Home/News
Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Athletic Director Pat Kraft says Penn State has "one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics."Mark Wogenrich|
In this story:
Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State has developed new business and marketing partnerships generating more than $1 billion in future athletics revenue, according to Athletic Director Pat Kraft. It also has one of the largest debt services in college athletics, the product of an ongoing $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium.
In a letter to Penn State fans recapping the 2025-26 athletics season, Kraft said that Penn State saw record attendance, fundraising and ticket sales during the year. Penn State generated record revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, topping $250 million in gross athletics revenue for the first time in school history. Figures for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be available early next year.
Penn State also spent more than $250 million for the first time, largely due to increasing NIL payments and the Beaver Stadium renovation. Penn State reported total athletics-related debt of $534.6 million, one of the nation's highest athletics deficits.
Still, Kraft in his letter painted a positive outlook of Penn State's total athletics health.
"Together, we’ve built one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics, securing more than $1 billion in guaranteed future revenue while dramatically increasing philanthropic support for our student-athletes and programs," Kraft wrote. "Those aren’t simply milestones. They’re investments in championships. They’re investments in people. And they’re investments in the future of Penn State Athletics."
One chapter closes, another begins. Here's to what's next.#WeAre | A letter from Pat Kraft: https://t.co/z3QVD7RGGU pic.twitter.com/WV2rcLiSvi
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) June 30, 2026
Kraft's letter marked not only the begininng of Penn State's 2026-27 athletics year and budget but also his fifth year in charge of the department. Kraft has made sweeping changes during his Penn State term, including the new 10-year apparrel deal with adidas that took effect July 1.
Kraft said the deal, whose total value could reach $300 million over its lifespan, would set an "industry standard" in college athletics. Penn State on Wednesday unveiled its new adidas football uniforms and opened a campus pop-up shop featuring adidas merchandise.
Kraft has conducted a significant overhaul of Penn State's athletics department since becoming athletic director in 2022. He negotiated a 15-year, $50 million deal for the naming rights to the field at Beaver Stadium and signed contracts with a new media rights partner and a new ticketing partner, among many others. The adidas deal represents Kraft's most consequential change.
Penn State also reached a milestone in the Beaver Stadium construction, holding a "topping out" ceremony in June that placed the last beam atop the new West Tower. When complete, the tower will reach a peak of 195 feet.
"Every day, the future of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium becomes more visible," Kraft wrote in the letter. "After more than 750,000 labor hours, thousands of tons of steel and the topping out of the final beam this June, we’re creating a game day experience worthy of the greatest fans in college sports.
'Expanded concourses, modern amenities, upgraded premium spaces, enhanced technology and improved accessibility will ensure Beaver Stadium remains one of the most iconic and intimidating venues in America for decades to come."
Built for the loudest crowd in college football. 🔊
— Beaver Stadium (@beaver_stadium) June 30, 2026
The new west side is on the way, and we already know the atmosphere is going to be next level.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/liDjE6PpJ3
Penn State also opened its new Jeffrey Field soccer complex last year as well as the bubble training facility that relieves scheduling pressure on Holuba Hall, which multiple programs shared with Penn State football.
"These investments aren’t simply about buildings," Kraft wrote. "They’re about creating an environment where the best coaches want to coach, the best student-athletes want to compete and where every member of our department has the resources to pursue excellence. They reflect
our belief that when you invest in people, extraordinary things happen."
On the field, Penn State finished 23rd in the Learfield Directors' Cup, the annual all-sports award of college athletics. Having publicly suggested Penn State could win four NCAA titles last season, Kraft setteld for one: the fifth straight NCAA team title for Penn State wrestling.
"As proud as we are of what we’ve accomplished together, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead," Kraft wrote. "The future of college athletics is being written today, and Penn State intends to help write it. We have extraordinary student-athletes. Outstanding coaches. Incredible staff. Unmatched facilities. And the greatest fans in college athletics.
"Most importantly, we have a community that believes in something bigger than itself. Thank you for believing in our vision. Thank you for believing in our student-athletes. And thank you for believing in Penn State. The momentum is real. The future is bright. And we’re just getting started."
We Are—and will always be...Penn State.#WeAre \\\ @adidas pic.twitter.com/FBl7qxTuwT
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) July 1, 2026
Sign up to our free Penn State Nittany Lions newsletter and follow us on social media.
Published 25 minutes ago
MARK WOGENRICHMark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.
Follow MarkWogenrichHome/Football
