What happened: Los Angeles completed its preferred plan by acquiring Walker Kessler from Utah. Mitchell Robinson left New York for Boston on a three-year, $47.4 million contract with a player option in the final season.
Why it matters: The contingency shows Los Angeles prioritized adding a starting center alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Landing Kessler kept the Lakers from competing with Boston for Robinson in free agency.
By the numbers: Robinson averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 72.3% from the field in 2025-26.
What to watch: Training camp will offer the first look at Kessler's fit with Doncic and Reaves ahead of the 2026-27 season.