Not everyone believes the Lakers deserve the criticism they’ve received for trading for Walker Kessler. While fans and analysts have questioned whether Los Angeles paid too steep a price for the young center, Fox Sports insider Jason McIntyre pushed back on that narrative.

Speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, he argued Kessler is being held to a different standard than similarly productive big men around the league.

“They’re getting beat up because they overpaid for Walker Kessler. Was it an overpay? Yes, period. That being said, did you look at the center market, guys? … It’s because it’s selective outrage, and it’s the Lakers. Anyway, here’s the truth on Walker Kessler. What the Lakers did get, he’s gonna be about the eighth or ninth highest-paid center in the league.”

“You have to give up a lot, but you know what? He was the guy you needed,” he continued. “There was really no other options out there at center. And I will remind people, what was Daniel Gafford before Luka made him in Dallas? Made him an attractive piece, and he’s getting paid. Teams are interested. Daniel Gafford has a market all the time because of Luka. … Luka Doncic elevates everyone to the level that LeBron did in his day.”

The biggest criticism is that Los Angeles surrendered an enormous amount of future draft capital for a player who has never been an All-Star. The Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), two first-round swap rights (2028 and 2030) and then signed Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal.

The Guardian had the Lakers among the losers of the first week of free agency, writing that the pursuit of Kessler came “…at high cost, depleting future assets while losing key contributors.” The concern is that if Kessler doesn’t become a high-level starter, the Lakers will have very few avenues to improve around Luka Doncic.

Lakers Front Office on Signing Kessler

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka released a statement after the signing of center Walker Kessler:

“At the core of every great Lakers team is a dominant big man,” Pelinka said. “At just 24 years old, Walker Kessler has established himself as one of the elite two-way centers in the game. When the opportunity presented itself to pair a rim-protecting, lob-catching big with our two premier pick-and-roll guards, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, we seized it.”

“Walker will embody the core pillars we value in our players: high character, high basketball IQ and elite competitiveness as we enter the next era of Lakers basketball,” it continued. “It’s an incredibly proud moment to add someone with Walker’s unique skill set and makeup to our program.”

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that Doncic was in “constant communication” with Rob Pelinka about adding a high-level center, and Kessler became the Lakers’ top target because of his defensive presence and pick-and-roll fit.