LAS VEGAS -- If that's the impact Walker Kessler has on the Los Angeles Lakers every time he is on the floor, then there is plenty to be excited about. 

Kessler made his preseason debut in purple and gold in Tuesday's 101-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena. Coming off a lengthy injury layoff, he played just 16 minutes. But he impressed massively. 

The 7-foot-2 center, whom the Lakers acquired this offseason via a sign-and-trade on a four-year, $130 million contract, posted 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block. 

Kessler had a +15 plus-minus in a game the Lakers lost by 12 points. 

"I think he's a great fit for our team," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said afterward. "I thought he did a nice job of running the floor, crashing [the glass]; he had some terrific rebounds in traffic. He protected the rim. Just a really, really good first half from him."

The Lakers led the Warriors 63-50 at the break, then got outscored 51-26 in the second half. Kessler didn't see the floor after the interval. Flatly, that's not good. 

"[The Warriors] had two offensive rebounds at halftime. They had 13 in the second half," Redick added. "That's an area of concern through four preseason games. We have to do a better job rebounding, whether [Kessler] is on the floor or not." 

That is certainly a double-edged sword at this point of the preparation period. With their regular-season opener against these same Warriors a week away, Kessler's big impact in his first outing with his new teammates is excellent news. However, the non-Kessler minutes become an immediate worry. 

Kessler is good for around 30 minutes a night when available. But he has mustered just 63 games over the last two seasons—including a mere five last year due to a season-ending left shoulder injury. 

The 25-year-old has already said he feels 110 percent healthy going into the new campaign, but until that is proven in the pudding, the Lakers will need to make sure the drop-off in performance with Kessler off the floor isn't as drastic. 

Adding Kessler is a dream for players like Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. 

The Lakers flashed what they'll be able to do in pick-and-roll actions offensively once everyone gets up to speed against the Warriors. 

Reaves used his two-man game with Kessler to control proceedings, en route to dropping a game-high 28 points. He dished out seven assists, two of which set up Kessler's makes. Doncic (rest) didn't play, but you can only imagine how high the Lakers can go with him back in the fold. 

Both of Kessler's buckets that Reaves assisted on were similar, with the former rolling off screens he set to get to the basket. Kessler's second was a layup off a pass from Quentin Grimes. 

The third was a strong putback dunk as Kessler soared above everybody before they even considered boxing him out. 

We will get a larger sample size of how Redick puts this Lakers puzzle together in due course. However, at first glance, Kessler is the perfect center for the cause and should be for a long time. 

He is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor. 

A lob threat and a smooth finisher around the rim, paired with elite rim protection and the ability to alter shots with his sheer presence without even challenging them on defense. 

Kessler's gravity is why Doncic smiled ear to ear when Kessler briefly checked out of the game with 5:06 remaining in the second quarter, his line reading eight points and eight rebounds at the time. Together with Reaves, they will make a thrilling trio.