Walker Kessler gives the Lakers the kind of center they have chased for years. He protects the rim, controls the glass, and creates easy offense without demanding touches.
Los Angeles made Kessler a centerpiece of its offseason, acquiring the 24-year-old center from the Utah Jazz and signing him to a four-year contract. The move gives head coach JJ Redick a true defensive anchor next to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Kessler also changes the Lakers’ long-term outlook. Social Casino lists the Lakers at +3500 to win the 2027 NBA championship, and the team’s ceiling depends heavily on whether Kessler can stabilize the defense while thriving in Dončić’s pick-and-roll game.
A Proven Rim Protector
Kessler’s calling card is clear. He deters shots at the rim and blocks attempts at a high rate.
During the 2024–25 season, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game. He shot 66.3% from the field while starting all 58 games he played for Utah.
That production fits a major Lakers need. Los Angeles has spent several seasons searching for a center who can protect the paint without forcing the offense to slow down. Kessler does not need post-touches or designed isolation plays. He can sprint into screens, dive to the rim, and patrol the lane on the other end.
His size also gives the Lakers a different defensive option against the Western Conference’s best big men. Kessler stands 7-foot-2 and weighs 245 pounds. He can contest shots vertically, absorb contact, and finish possessions with rebounds.
The Lakers do not need him to become an offensive star. They need him to make the simple plays consistently. That means protecting the rim, clearing the defensive glass, and creating second chances on offense. Adding Kessler could very well be the best off-season move the Lakers have made.
Built For Luka Dončić
Kessler should fit naturally with Dončić.
Dončić has consistently elevated rim-running big men by forcing defenses to choose between protecting the paint and containing his pull-up game. Kessler can set a firm screen, roll hard, and present a massive target near the basket. His finishing gives Dončić another reliable passing window when opponents trap or switch.
Kessler has converted at an efficient rate throughout his career. He owns a 68.3% career field-goal percentage and has built most of that production near the rim.
The Lakers can also use him as a short-roll passer. He is not a high-volume creator, but he has shown enough awareness to move the ball to the weak side when defenders collapse. That skill matters when teams load up against Dončić.
His offensive rebounding adds another dimension. Kessler averaged 4.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2024–25, creating valuable extra possessions for a Lakers team that can generate efficient looks when Dončić and Reaves share the floor.
Those possessions can change playoff games. A missed three becomes a putback. A broken possession becomes two more points. Kessler does not need a complicated role to impact the score.
Limits Remain In His Game
Kessler still has areas to address.
Free-throw shooting remains his most obvious weakness. He shot 52.0% from the line in 2024–25, though he went 7-for-10 during his five-game 2025–26 season. That limited sample does not erase the larger concern. [basketball-reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kesslwa01.html)
Opponents may choose to test that weakness late in games. Redick will need to decide when Kessler’s defense outweighs any risk at the line.
Kessler also should avoid drifting too far from his strengths. He has attempted threes in the past, but he has not shown that he can consistently stretch the floor. He is at his best when he stays active around the basket, screens with force, and finishes plays.
The Lakers did not acquire him to become a high-usage scorer. They hired him to handle difficult work that does not always get highlighted.
That work could define Los Angeles’ season. If Kessler protects the paint, dominates the glass, and develops immediate chemistry with Dončić, the Lakers will have a more balanced roster than they did a year ago.
