The Lakers didn’t bring in Walker Kessler just to patch a hole at center. According to Jovan Buha, the bigger move is what Kessler allows JJ Redick to do with the entire defense.
On Buha’s Block podcast, Buha said Redick made it clear that Kessler is the right kind of player to put next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
“Takeaway number three is Walker Kessler is, quote, ‘the perfect fit.’ And that is a direct quote from JJ. He said that Kessler is the perfect fit next to Luka and Austin and the exact type of player they wanted next to those guys, particularly defensively.”
Buha added that Redick pointed to Kessler as the sort of piece teams want when building around those two guards.
“He feels like when you’re building out a roster, when you’re building out a team around Luka and Austin, the next piece you want to put next to those guys is a Walker Kessler type of player, specifically for his defense, his rebounding, and his finishing.”
The clearest takeaway from Redick’s comments, Buha said, was that the Lakers are planning to move away from the ultra-switch-heavy style they used last season. Redick said Los Angeles was the most switch-heavy team in the NBA a year ago, and that approach was driven by the roster and its defensive limitations.
Now the idea is different. Kessler gives the Lakers a rim protector they can park near the basket, while the perimeter defenders attack higher up the floor and try to steer ball handlers into him. Buha compared the concept to how San Antonio uses Victor Wembanyama, with Kessler staying closer to the rim and paint instead of getting pulled into constant action.
“So, it sounds like the Lakers are going to be playing more drop coverage. They are going to be looking for ways to keep Kessler out of the main action and keep him closer to the rim.
So, I assume we’ll see some more pre-switching and scram switching. We’ll see how much switching they do.
In general, I would still expect them to do one-through-three, if not one-through-four, switching depending on the defensive configurations, but it sounds like the Lakers are going to play a bit more traditional while also prioritizing keeping Kessler closer to the rim, closer to the paint.”
That shift matters because the Lakers spent last season near the bottom of the league in rim protection. Buha noted they ranked 29th in opponent field goal percentage allowed at the rim. With Kessler on the floor, he expects that number to look very different.
“They’re going to be more aggressive with their defensive playmakers, Matisse, Ziaire, Quentin, etc., and really focus on trying to funnel guys into Walker, which, remember, last year the Lakers were 29th in opponent field goal percentage allowed at the rim. One of the worst rim-protecting teams in the league.
That is going to shift dramatically with Walker Kessler. I’d be shocked if they’re not top 10, if not potentially top five, with Kessler on the floor.
I think when he’s off the floor, it’ll be an issue, and they’ll have to figure that out. But with Kessler on the floor, I expect them to be top 10, if not top five, in that category.”
Kessler’s appeal wasn’t hard to see before the trade and contract. The Lakers gave up two first-round picks and two pick swaps, then signed him to a four-year, $130 million deal because of what he brings at the rim, on the glass, and as a finisher.
His career numbers back that up: 2.4 blocks and 9.3 rebounds per game, plus a 68.1% field-goal mark.
Health was the obvious question after a torn left shoulder labrum limited him to five games last season, but Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said Kessler is fully cleared and not a concern.
The other piece of the puzzle is the new perimeter group. Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams give Redick more defenders who can pressure the ball away from the paint, which should let them be more aggressive knowing Kessler is behind them.
For Buha, that’s the real story here: the Lakers may finally have the personnel to stop switching out of necessity and start defending with purpose.
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