NBA Notes: Lakers, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Kings, Warriors, trade targets

Lakers

Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton aren’t waiting for training camp to rebuild their chemistry.

The Lakers newcomers recently played together at the Big A Classic in Atlanta, as Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI noted. The two previously spent three seasons together with the Jazz.

Sexton said they have also been playing three-on-three and quickly rediscovered their connection.

“Me and Walker, we have built a really good relationship over the past four or five years,” Sexton said. “Even yesterday when we were doing the three-on-three, we were still locked in.”

That familiarity should help a Lakers team that underwent significant change this summer.

Kessler arrived in a sign-and-trade with Utah and signed a four-year, $130 million contract. He is expected to become a long-term piece alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Sexton believes Kessler’s competitiveness will help him handle the expectations that come with the contract and playing in Los Angeles.

“He’s one of those people that’s very competitive,” Sexton said. “He comes in and gives it his all each and every night.”

Kings

The Kings may have found their point guard of the future in Darius Acuff Jr. Now they need to find someone to grow alongside him.

Will Zimmerle of Kings On SI examined Sacramento’s long-term roster and identified secondary shot creation as its biggest need.

The Kings still have veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk to carry much of the offensive burden next season. None is guaranteed to remain part of the franchise’s long-range plans.

Sacramento has assembled a promising young group featuring Acuff, Keegan Murray, Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban.

What that group lacks is another proven scorer who can create independently when Acuff is contained.

Murray or Clifford could eventually develop into that player. That said, Acuff is the only member of the projected core who appears capable of consistently generating offense on demand.

That may leave general manager Scott Perry searching for a young scoring wing through the draft or trade market.

Bottom line: The Kings have started building the supporting cast. They still need another headliner.

Warriors

The Warriors need another scorer to reduce the burden on Stephen Curry, particularly with Jimmy Butler recovering from a torn ACL. 

That much seems pretty obvious.

Joey Akeley of Warriors On SI proposed four in-prime trade targets Golden State could consider: Tyler Herro, Trey Murphy III, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.

Herro may be the most attainable. The Bucks are rebuilding after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Herro is entering the final year of his contract. He could not be traded until Sept. 6.

Murphy would be more expensive. The Pelicans wing is 26, stands 6-foot-8 and has three years remaining on a team-friendly contract. Landing him would likely cost several first-round picks.

Suggs and Wagner are more speculative possibilities.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints previously reported that the Magic could consider significant changes if next season goes poorly. If Orlando struggles, Golden State could inquire about either player.

Wagner would provide the two-way wing the Warriors have traditionally valued. Suggs would add one of the league’s best defensive guards, though his outside shooting remains inconsistent.

Again, these are proposed targets, not players the Warriors are known to be pursuing.

Golden State has expiring contracts and draft capital to offer, but little in the way of established young talent. Any major trade would therefore come with a substantial price.

But with Curry nearing the end of his career, the Warriors eventually must decide how much is too much.