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Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial  A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court ​on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol ​treatment plan, Argentine media reported.Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his ​knees.”Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.“The first image shocked me ​because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. ​He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, ​El Clarin reported.Published on May 01, 2026  #Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial

Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial

A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court ​on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol ​treatment plan, Argentine media reported.

Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.

“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his ​knees.”

Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.

“The first image shocked me ​because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.

Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.

The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. ​He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.

The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.

Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, ​El Clarin reported.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Diego #Maradona #bipolar #disorder #narcissist #Psychologist #death #trial

A psychologist charged in the trial over Diego Maradona’s death told an Argentine court ​on Thursday that the soccer great had bipolar disorder and ‌was a narcissist, and required a zero-alcohol ​treatment plan, Argentine media reported.

Carlos Diaz, 34, ⁠is facing the charge of manslaughter with reckless intent for prescribing the wrong medication. He is one of seven ‌defendants accused of criminal responsibility in the death of the former Argentine captain and national ‌coach.

“There was bipolar disorder and narcissism,” newspaper ‌El ⁠Clarin cited Diaz as saying at the ⁠trial in Buenos Aires. “He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his ​knees.”

Diaz said he met ‌Maradona on October 26, 2020, 29 days before the former footballer died, and that Maradona was drinking wine on a couch at the time, La ‌Nacion Argentina reported.

“The first image shocked me ​because he was just like my father, an alcoholic, who had died a few ⁠months earlier,” the newspaper cited Diaz as saying.

Diaz told the court he believed Maradona wanted to change his ‌lifestyle and tailored the star’s treatment based on abstinence from alcohol, El Clarin reported. He also said the toxicology report showed Maradona’s life ended after 23 days without drug use.

The attacking player won trophies with teams including Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli, ‌and captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986. ​He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, after surgery for a subdural hematoma.

The trial ⁠is examining whether members of his medical and care ⁠team bear criminal responsibility for his death.

Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, another defendant, also testified on Thursday, ‌saying Maradona’s home hospitalisation was appropriate and was not intended to function as an intensive-care unit, ​El Clarin reported.

Published on May 01, 2026

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Deadspin | Short-handed Wolves pull away from Nuggets, seal series in Game 6 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28850310.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28850310.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) dribbles the ball past Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the first half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Elevated into the starting lineup of a heavily depleted backcourt, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a career-playoff-high 24 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves close out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series on Thursday in Minneapolis.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The sixth-seeded Timberwolves advance to face the second-seeded Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday in San Antonio.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Minnesota was already down All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards (knee) and his starting perimeter counterpart, Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), when Ayo Dosunmu was announced as a scratch shortly before tipoff of Game 6. Dosunmu, a hero in Game 4 with 43 points, was held out on Thursday due to a calf injury.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Veteran Kyle Anderson was also crossed off the Minnesota lineup on Thursday because of an illness, contributing to a rash of absences that necessitated Shannon — who did not play in the first three games of the series — entering the starting lineup.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>He stepped up, capping his 9-of-20 performance shooting from the field with a crucial three-point play that ignited a game-ending 8-1 run for the Timberwolves.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>With Minnesota nursing a 100-97 lead, Shannon penetrated into the lane and scored against contact from Jamal Murray with a scooping layup. He made the subsequent free throw with 1:43 to go.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>After Cameron Johnson split a pair of free throws on the other end, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels — who scored a game-high 32 points — connected on a pull-up mid-range jumper.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>McDaniels’ shot served as a backbreaker for third-seeded Denver, with the crowd erupting as the Timberwolves opened up an eight-point lead with 1:07 left. The bucket put an exclamation mark on a dominant final five minutes in which the Timberwolves did not allow the Nuggets a made field goal.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Denver trailed much of the way and never led in the second half but remained within a single-digit-point margin until the final minute. Nikola Jokic helped keep the Nuggets within striking distance, finishing with team highs in points (28), assists (10) and rebounds (nine).</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Johnson added 27 points and shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range, but the Nuggets struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Murray was limited to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the floor.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The same aggressive Minnesota defense that kept Murray in check frustrated Jokic in the second half, boiling over when he got into a shoving match with Timberwolves reserve guard Jaylen Clark early in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid pushed Jokic from behind, resulting in all three players receiving technical fouls.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Jokic remained in the lineup despite a chorus of “kick him out” chants from the home crowd.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Shorthanded #Wolves #pull #Nuggets #seal #series #Game

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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Phillies sweep DH vs. Giants with pair of walk-offs <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28849829.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28849829.jpg" alt="MLB: Game Two-San Francisco Giants at Philadelphia Phillies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) celebrates with outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) and outfielder Justin Crawford (2) after the game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Bryson Stott delivered a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and scored on Justin Crawford’s infield single as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to nip the visiting San Francisco Giants 3-2 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Kyle Schwarber hit his 350th career home run while Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez allowed two runs and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Adolis Garcia led off with a single and scored easily on Stott’s one-out hit into the right field corner. After Edmundo Sosa was retired, Crawford followed with a grounder to the left side and beat out shortstop Willy Adames’ one-hop throw to first.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Giants starter Logan Webb allowed one run and struck out six in seven innings. He was in line for the victory before Ryan Walker (0-1) blew the save in the ninth.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Phillies 6, Giants 5 (10 innings, Game 2)</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Alec Bohm’s 10th-inning sacrifice fly drove in the winning run, giving Philadelphia its second walk-off win in the doubleheader.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Kyle Schwarber capped a 4-for-4 game with a two-out, game-tying hit in the ninth inning. Trea Turner and Schwarber homered to open the first inning. Chase Shugart (2-0) became the first Phillies pitcher since 2022 to win both games of a doubleheader.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Drew Gilbert piled up three hits for the Giants, who were swept in the three-game series. Matt Gage (2-1) lost despite retiring both batters he faced.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Tigers 5, Braves 2</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run eighth-inning rally with a sacrifice fly to help visiting Detroit score a comeback win over Atlanta.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Matt Vierling had a double, three hits, two runs and two RBIs for the Tigers, who snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Braves. Rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle walked three times to stretch his on-base streak to 26 games but saw his hit streak halted at 13.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Atlanta jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on RBI singles from Eli White and Mauricio Dubon in consecutive innings. Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder allowed one run on six hits over six innings, maintaining a stellar 1.88 ERA.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Orioles 10, Astros 3 (Game 1)</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson slugged grand slams Baltimore’s victory against visiting Houston in the first game of a doubleheader.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Orioles starter Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Jackson drove in five runs.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Rutschman’s blast came in the fifth to break open the game. Jackson’s slam came in the seventh. It’s the first time the Orioles have smacked multiple grand slams in the same game since Sept. 11, 2015, when they hit two in one inning of a 14-8 home win over the Kansas City Royals.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Astros 11, Orioles 5 (Game 2)</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Cam Smith hit a three-run home run during a five-run first inning as Houston and Baltimore exchanged blowout wins to split the doubleheader.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Yordan Alvarez drilled his 12th homer among his three hits and three runs scored, Dustin Harris drove in three runs and Yainer Diaz collected three hits as the Astros avoided being swept in the three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Houston won for the first time in starter Lance McCullers Jr.’s five April starts. McCullers (2-2) held the Orioles to three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks across six innings before three relievers finished with one inning apiece.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Cardinals 10, Pirates 5</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>JJ Wetherholt and Jordan Walker both homered during a three-run first inning off Paul Skenes and Alec Burleson went 3-for-5 with three RBIs as visiting St. Louis completed a four-game series sweep of Pittsburgh.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-23"> <p>Pedro Pages and Nolan Gorman also had two hits for the Cardinals, who finished with 14 hits. Gordon Graceffo (2-0) picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief.</p> </section> <section id="section-24"> <p>Skenes (4-2) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits over five innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out a season-high nine batters.</p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>Nationals 5, Mets 4</p> </section><section id="section-26"> <p>CJ Abrams hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and drove in three runs as visiting Washington rallied for a victory over New York.</p> </section><section id="section-27"> <p>After Luis Garcia Jr. opened the inning with a single and Daylen Lile avoided hitting into a double play on a fielder’s choice, Abrams gave Washington a 5-4 lead by driving a 2-1 changeup from Luke Weaver (2-1) over the right field fence. Right fielder James Wood robbed Juan Soto of a home run as the Nationals won for the fourth time in five games.</p> </section><section id="section-28"> <p>The Mets’ MJ Melendez hit a tying three-run homer and Mark Vientos had an RBI double to make it 4-3 in the sixth, but New York still lost for the 17th time in 20 games.</p> </section><section id="section-29"> <p>Reds 6, Rockies 4</p> </section><section id="section-30"> <p>TJ Friedl belted a go-ahead two-run home run and Andrew Abbott allowed two runs over six innings to lead host Cincinnati past Colorado.</p> </section><section id="section-31"> <p>Nathaniel Lowe homered, doubled and scored twice and Spencer Steer went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the Reds, who captured the rubber game of the series and won for the ninth time in 12 games to reach the 20-win plateau before May 1 for the first time in team history.</p> </section><section id="section-32"> <p>Cincinnati has its best 31-game start (20-11) since the 2006 team also began the season 20-11.</p> </section><section id="section-33"> <p>Brewers 13, Diamondbacks 1</p> </section><section id="section-34"> <p>William Contreras had four hits with a home run and four RBIs as Milwaukee hammered visiting Arizona to win the rubber game of the series.</p> </section><section id="section-35"> <p>Sal Frelick homered, Brice Turang and Garrett Mitchell each had two hits and scored three runs, and Tyler Black and Luis Rengifo had three RBIs for the Brewers. Contreras reached base five times, scored three runs and finished a triple short of the cycle.</p> </section><section id="section-36"> <p>Ildemaro Vargas of the Diamondbacks had two hits and extended his season-opening hitting streak to 23 games. Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff left the game in the second inning due to low velocity on his fastball and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam.</p> </section><section id="section-37"> <p>Athletics 6, Royals 3</p> </section><section id="section-38"> <p>Nick Kurtz highlighted a four-run second inning with a two-RBI double, four relievers combined for six strong innings and the Athletics finished off a series win over visiting Kansas City in Sacramento, Calif.</p> </section><section id="section-39"> <p>Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers combined for five hits and four runs atop the lineup, helping the A’s capture their third consecutive 2-1 series win.</p> </section><section id="section-40"> <p>A’s starter Jeffrey Springs threw a scoreless third inning before handing the ball off to the bullpen, which allowed just one run and five hits the rest of the way. Luis Medina (1-1), who threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball, was credited with the win.</p> </section><section id="section-41"> <p>Royals starter Noah Cameron (2-2) took the loss, charged with five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-42"> <p>Twins 7, Blue Jays 1</p> </section><section id="section-43"> <p>Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and Minnesota pulled away from visiting Toronto to take the opener of a four-game set in Minneapolis.</p> </section><section id="section-44"> <p>Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota while Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins. Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run.</p> </section><section id="section-45"> <p>Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two. Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-46"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Phillies #sweep #Giants #pair #walkoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah  The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, 0 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.Lakers grade for Walker Kessler tradeKessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, 0 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.Jazz grade for Walker Kessler tradeTalk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.  #Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah

according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

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