Lakers’ New Center Proves His Worth Early On

It seems the Lakers have finally found their franchise center.

In need of a strong presence in the paint, they took Luka Dončić’s advice and went after Walker Kessler. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ front office chief, took a risk to secure him.

And how has Kessler looked in his first couple of games?

Well, he’s impressing. It’s clear that he’s living up to Dončić’s endorsement. And that’s bolstering Pelinka’s job security.

The 7-foot-1 center was brought in during the offseason via a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz. In his latest outing against the Clippers, he scored 22 points, shooting 10-of-14 from the field, along with eight rebounds, three assists, six blocks, and three steals, all contributing to a 125-117 Lakers victory.

He also recorded the highest plus-minus (+18) of any player on the floor.

This followed an impressive debut against the Warriors, where he scored 26 points with an unheard-of 12-for-12 shooting performance, also grabbing nine rebounds, and adding a block and an assist.

This is precisely what the Lakers were looking for. Kessler could be the missing piece that elevates them back into championship contention.

Everyone expected the Lakers to have an explosive offense with stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. But last season, their defense was lacking—they ranked 20th in defensive efficiency. They really needed to tighten things up.

To get Kessler, the Lakers sent two first-round picks and two more pick swaps to the Jazz, inking him to a substantial four-year, $130 million contract.

It was definitely a gamble.

With this move, the Lakers are without tradable first-round picks for the next seven years. It’s a case of Kessler being the key to their success, one way or the other.

So far, it looks like he’s exceeding expectations.

In that first game against the Warriors, he became the first Laker since Wilt Chamberlain to achieve a perfect shooting night. Against the Clippers, he also made history, becoming just the eighth Laker to achieve six blocks and three steals in a single game, per Stathead.

“He’s an incredible basketball player, and I believe he’s only going to get better,” Lakers coach JJ Redick stated. “One of the main reasons we pursued him is his age and how well he fits alongside our two stars. He can keep growing and becoming a phenomenal player in the league.”

Last season, Kessler’s playtime was significantly hampered due to a torn left labrum, which required surgery. With many questions surrounding his future—like how well he would perform or if he was even worth the hefty investment—he’s proving his critics wrong as he finds his footing again.

“It’s such a thrill to be back on the court,” Kessler shared. “It’s been a challenging year for me, but I feel grateful. Just to be healthy and playing is something I cherish.”

The Lakers are counting on Kessler to evolve into an elite defensive player. He needs to bolster the star trio of Doncic, Reaves, and himself. So far, he’s checking the boxes.

After halftime, where the score was tied, Kessler stepped it up during the third quarter, helping push the Lakers to a significant lead.

“Walker was just everywhere,” Redick remarked on his performance that quarter. “There were several moments when it seemed like the opposition had an easy layup, and he either blocked the shot or altered it.”

In his next matchup, Kessler will return to Utah to face off against the Jazz, the team he played for in his initial four seasons.

“I’m really looking forward to competing against those guys,” he said. “Coach Hardy does an excellent job, and my former teammates are incredibly talented. It’s going to be a competitive game, and I’m eager to get out there.”

This game stands as a testament to how far the Lakers have progressed.

They made a hefty investment for Kessler.

And it’s looking like every pick they provided to Utah has been worth it for the value they received in return.