The Lakers got the kind of debut from Walker Kessler that can make an offseason move feel smarter by the minute. But even with that strong opening night, Los Angeles is already staring at a familiar problem: what happens when he sits?
Kessler was flawless in the season opener, finishing with 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting, along with nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 30 minutes during Wednesday’s 127-105 win over the Warriors. CBS Sports pointed to the early buzz around his fit with Luka Doncic, writing, “Kessler delivered 26 points (12-12 FG, 0-0 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, an assist and two blocks across 30 minutes in Wednesday's 127-105 win over the Warriors. There was a lot of talk about how Luka Doncic and Kessler would thrive playing together, and while one game isn't enough to draw conclusions, this was an impressive performance from the big man,” CBS Sports wrote.
That kind of start only sharpened the upside of Los Angeles’ offseason overhaul. The Lakers remade much of their starting group, and the trade for the former Jazz center already looks like one of the moves that could define the summer.
Still, the front office has a hole to patch. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that the Lakers are keeping tabs on the big-man market.
“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," T he Athletic's Dan Woike reported." They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too.
The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity.”
That concern has less to do with Kessler’s talent than with the burden on him. If Los Angeles doesn’t find a steadier backup, the drop-off behind him could be steep, and the team may end up leaning on its starting center too much over the grind of the regular season.
“This isn't an original thought, but the Lakers really need to find a capable backup center so they don't run Walker into the ground in the regular season,” Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand wrote.
The warning sign is real because Kessler is still working back from a labrum injury that wiped out his entire season after he managed only five games. He wants heavy minutes and wants to be on the floor as much as possible, but that kind of load can become a problem over the long haul.
For now, the Lakers have one clear priority at the position: find a backup center who can give them more dependable production than Kevon Looney. Until they do, Kessler’s workload will remain something they have to watch closely as they keep searching the market for another big man.
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