Why Lakers went all in on Walker Kessler

So, who is this guy the Lakers mortgaged their future on?

Here’s what we know about Walker Kessler.

The 7-foot-2, 245-pound center is considered one of the NBA’s elite rim protectors and rebounders. Luka Dončić made it clear to the Lakers he wanted him as his center.

And the Lakers responded by emptying their treasure trove, giving up two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal.

That means the Lakers don’t have a tradable first-round draft pick for the next seven years.

How should Lakers fans feel about this?

They should be relieved.

The Lakers needed to make Dončić happy. They had to get an elite center. And they needed to pay whatever it cost. It’s a gamble they had to take.

We’ll see if it works out.

The 25-year-old Kessler only played five games last season after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required season-ending surgery.

So, we don’t have a large enough recent sample size to judge Kessler’s growth.

Kessler, who was selected by the Grizzlies with the 22nd pick in the 2022 draft before he was traded to the Jazz, has career averages of 9.5 points on 68.1% shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Having him down low makes the Lakers much better defensively. He’s the type of player who takes up space and has great footwork. According to NBA.com, he contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim in 2024-2025, which tied him for the fifth most in the NBA.

But with the price tag the Lakers paid, they don’t just need a solid center. They need a star down low.

In order for Kessler to make good on the deal, he needs to turn into an All-Defensive player. He needs to be a borderline All-Star. He needs to be great.

The good news is that Kessler is fully aware of what his development means to the Purple-and-Gold.

“It definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,” Kessler said during his introductory news conference in Las Vegas in July.

“And I think what they’ve invested, they’re showing that belief in a monetary value, not just with money, but … assets. And for me, I’m somebody that if I know that they have that belief in me, I’m gonna run through a brick wall for them. That’s just how I’ve been wired my whole life.”

Kessler has a lot to prove.

He needs to be the team’s defensive anchor. He needs to set screens that open up Dončić and Austin Reaves. He needs to become a pivotal piece of the Lakers’ Big Three.

If he can do that, the Lakers could make some noise in the Western Conference.

But if he falls short, it’s going to be a long couple of years for the Lakers.

Either way, they were right to take this chance.