Walker Kessler believes the Lakers’ perimeter defenders deserve more attention as Los Angeles works to establish a stronger defensive identity.
Walker Kessler sees more defensive potential in the Los Angeles Lakers than the preseason conversation suggests.
Following the opening practice of training camp, the new Lakers center pointed to the players defending in front of him. His confidence centered on their ball pressure, positioning and ability to make opponents uncomfortable on the perimeter.
“I think we’re gonna be a nasty defensive team,” Kessler said.
The statement puts an ambitious expectation on a roster built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Los Angeles has clear offensive creators in those two, but its defensive ceiling will depend on how effectively the supporting players work together.
Kessler’s argument is that evaluating the Lakers primarily through their offensive stars overlooks the defenders added around them.
Perimeter pressure is central to Kessler’s confidence
Kessler specifically praised the perimeter group and Kevon Looney’s defensive intelligence. He believes the Lakers have players capable of staying organized while applying pressure, giving the team several useful defensive tools.
That combination is essential for a center responsible for protecting the basket. When perimeter defenders repeatedly lose their assignments, the big man must choose between stopping the ball and staying attached to his own opponent.
Those decisions can produce open layups, passes to rolling centers or kickouts to shooters. Even a successful initial contest may leave the defense vulnerable to an offensive rebound.
Better resistance on the perimeter can reduce those situations. Forcing a ballhandler to change direction or take an extra dribble gives the rest of the defense time to adjust.
Kessler can then focus more consistently on contesting shots near the rim instead of repairing an immediate breakdown.
The relationship also works in the opposite direction. A dependable rim protector can give perimeter defenders confidence to challenge ballhandlers more closely because help is available behind them.
That should be the Lakers’ goal: pressure supported by positioning, with each defender understanding where the next layer of assistance is coming from.
Defensive improvement requires more than blocks
Kessler has already demonstrated his ability to protect the basket. In his last full season with Utah two seasons ago, he averaged 2.4 blocks and 12.2 rebounds.
Those numbers explain his appeal, but the Lakers will need contributions that extend beyond his individual production.
Defensive possessions must finish with rebounds. Transition coverage must prevent easy baskets before the half-court defense is established. Communication must remain clear when opponents force switches or move the ball across the floor.
The minutes without Kessler will also matter. Looney’s positioning offers a different defensive resource, but the Lakers must establish combinations that can maintain their principles when the starting center rests.
Training camp optimism cannot answer those questions by itself. Opposing teams will test the Lakers’ weaker matchups, pull defenders away from the basket and force them to make repeated decisions.
Kessler’s assessment nevertheless identifies a reasonable path toward improvement. The Lakers do not need every player to become an elite individual defender. They need their strongest defenders to support a connected scheme and their offensive leaders to execute their responsibilities within it.
That is the standard behind his confidence. The regular season will establish how closely the Lakers can meet it.
