Los Angeles – The Lakers are set to roll out their newest big man, 7‑foot‑2 center Walker Kessler, in the opening night clash with the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Kessler is eager to shoulder the expectations that come with joining a franchise that boasts a lineage of legends such as George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol and Anthony Davis.
Contract and expectations
The organization invested heavily to acquire Kessler, sending two first‑round picks and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz in a sign‑and‑trade. Kessler signed a four‑year contract worth $130 million, a sizable commitment for a player who has never averaged more than 11.1 points per game in a full NBA season. Lakers management believes his defensive presence and rim‑protecting ability will fill a glaring need the team faced last season.
Fit with Luka Doncic and the new “Big Three”
General manager Rob Pelinka explained that the move was driven by Luka Doncic’s long‑standing desire for an elite interior scorer who can finish his lob passes and protect the paint. While the new trio of Doncic, Austin Reaves and Kessler logged only limited minutes together in preseason practice, both Doncic and the coaching staff praised Kessler’s defensive impact. “The paint is kind of closed when he’s on the court,” Doncic said after a recent drill.
Coach Redick on the transition
Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge of integrating a player who has not yet played alongside a star guard like Doncic. “He’s never played with a player like Luka before,” Redick noted. “He’s never really been tasked with being the anchor of a defense. Those are things we think he can be at an All‑Star level, but it will take time. It’s a process with him.”
Overcoming rust and injury history
Kessler’s most recent NBA appearance was on Halloween of last year, after which he aggravated a shoulder injury that required surgery to repair a torn labrum. The procedure sidelined him for the remainder of the Jazz’s 22‑win season. Despite the setback, Kessler expressed optimism about joining a franchise with 17 championships and a recent track record of six playoff appearances in the past seven years.
Fan excitement and team outlook
Speaking about the passionate Los Angeles fan base, Kessler said, “I was here for Luka’s opening night in February 2025, and it was insane. The fan base is unreal, and the energy is great. Playing for them, you could place a little bit of pressure on yourself, but I look at it as an opportunity to play for such a great franchise.” He added that the belief shown in him by the organization makes him feel he can “run through a brick wall” for the team.
Season prospects
The Lakers entered last spring as Pacific Division champions and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, though many of those players will not return. The revamped roster is built around the offensive brilliance of Doncic and Reaves, with Kessler expected to anchor the defense and provide two‑way contributions. As the season opens, the team hopes the new center will quickly adapt and help restore the Lakers to championship contention.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
