Praise for new Lakers center Walker Kessler.
The biggest addition of the offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers was undoubtedly center Walker Kessler.
Not just in terms of size, but in terms of what he brings to the team as well, and how he is going to benefit Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and the entire defense.
Kessler entered the offseason as a restricted free agent with the Utah Jazz, and the Lakers moved quickly to acquire him, trading unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to Utah.
They then promptly signed him to a four-year, $130 million deal to ensure their future in the middle.
Horace Grant Praises Kessler
Speaking with Kyle Odegard of Action Network, former NBA Champion Horace Grant had a glowing review of what Kessler brings to the Lakers this season.
“No disrespect to (Deandre) Ayton and the rest of those guys, but I think they were missing that toughness in the middle,” Grant said. “The rim protector. He can score, block shots, rebound. That toughness. I watched him in Utah, and I enjoyed what I saw.”
Ayton was signed in the 2025 offseason after it was clear in the 2025 playoffs that the Lakers needed help in the frontcourt. While Ayton put up a respectable 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game, his consistency and effort lacked, especially on the defensive end.
The Lakers moved on from Ayton in the offseason, trading him to the Washington Wizards.
What Does Kessler Bring?
Kessler was limited to just five games last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He was still impressive in those five games, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and three assists while shooting 70% from the field and contributing 1.8 blocks.
In his first three seasons in the league, he’s averaged two blocks per game each season.
He’s going to do a lot of the dirty work that Ayton wouldn’t do during his time with the Lakers, which is only going to benefit Doncic and Reaves. Along with being one of the best rim protectors in the league, he’s a big body who will set screens and roll to the basket. Next to a playmaker like Doncic, he’s going to find himself getting plenty of easy buckets.
He’s shown some touch and playmaking chops, and if those continue to develop, the Lakers will have new ways to utilize him, but the sample size is too small in both of those areas to know if he can remain consistent.
There are injury concerns coming off shoulder surgery, but it’s a swing the Lakers had to take given how their frontcourt has performed since acquiring Doncic.
