Lakers’ move for Walker Kessler makes Jazz’s 2022 Rudy Gobert trade one of the greatest ever

That package featured Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, No. 22 in the 2022 NBA Draft (Walker Kessler), and five first-round picks (one swap).

After the Jazz traded Kessler to the Lakers for four first-round picks, the original deal is looking even more incredible.

The Lakers have helped this trade be an all-timer

For the eagle-eyed, it’s easy to spot that every player except Bolmaro that the Jazz received in that trade found their way to the Lakers.

It started with Patrick Beverley being traded for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson before the February 2023 trade, dumping Russell Westbrook to Utah, which brought back Beasley and Vanderbilt, while giving the Jazz LA’s 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected).

Three years later, the Lakers would send their 2028 and 2030 first-round swap and unprotected picks in 2031 and 2033 to the Jazz for Kessler. Utah developed him into their de facto Gobert replacement and fetched a huge haul for him despite being far less proven than Gobert was.

Beverley would eventually get traded for Mo Bamba, while Beasley would leave as a free agent before his off-court troubles began. Vanderbilt is still on the Lakers for now, averaging 4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds over 156 games in LA.

Jazz directly landed Keyonte George through this trade

The No. 16 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft went to the Jazz because of this trade, as Minnesota would’ve originally owned the selection. Utah maximized what they could find, selecting guard Keyonte George with the pick.

George has already become a core member of the Jazz’s future, averaging 23.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists last season. He’s expected to be in the starting backcourt alongside Darryn Peterson, forming the core of Utah’s future.

This selection is similar to how the OKC Thunder landed Jalen Williams through a pick that the Clippers traded them for Paul George. Sometimes, it’s the picks in the teens that build a championship contender. Now, the Jazz will hope George can eventually play the role Williams did in OKC’s 2024 title.

Jaren Jackson Jr. also figures into the final trade outcome

The sheer number of assets the Jazz received means they’ll leave their fingerprints in unrelated deals made by the franchise. The acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of those, but more than a few of the outgoing assets in that trade emerged from the Gobert deal.

The Jazz swapped the 2025 first-round pick they received from Minnesota at No. 21 (Will Riley) in a trade to move up and acquire Walter Clayton Jr. from the Washington Wizards.

Clayton would join Minnesota’s 2029 pick alongside two other picks and three players in joining the Grizzlies when the Jazz acquired Jackson Jr.

Jackson averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks last season and figures to be Utah’s starting center and backline protector now that Kessler has also exited the franchise.

Final return for Rudy Gobert

• Malik Beasley
• Patrick Beverley
• Jarred Vanderbilt
• Leandro Bolmaro
• 2022 No. 22 Pick (Walker Kessler)
• 2023 First-Round Pick (Keyonte George)
• 2025 First-Round Pick (Will Riley, traded for Walter Clayton Jr.)
• 2026 First-Round Pick Swap (unexercised)
• 2027 First-Round Pick (MIN)
• 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL, top-four protected, traded for Jaren Jackson Jr.)
• 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL)
• 2029 First-Round Pick (MIN, top-five protected, traded for Jaren Jackson Jr.)
• 2030 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL)
• 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)
• 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)