Walker Kessler has wasted no time making his presence felt in Los Angeles.
The Lakers entered the 2026 offseason with major turnover, and the biggest headline was LeBron James wrapping up his eight-year run with the franchise. But while the exits were significant, the additions mattered too - and none has stood out more than Kessler, who has already settled in as the team’s new starting center.
At more than seven feet tall, Kessler gives the Lakers a massive interior anchor, and he’s already flashing the full package. He has long been known for protecting the rim, but lately his offensive game has taken a clear step forward. With Luka Doncic now operating as his primary playmaker, Kessler figures to keep seeing clean, efficient looks around the basket.
The early returns have been loud. Through his first two games in a Lakers uniform, Kessler is averaging 24 points while shooting 84.6% from the field. He’s also making his mark on defense with 1.5 steals and four blocks per game over that stretch.
That kind of start has impressed JJ Redick, who didn’t need much convincing about what Kessler could do after watching him in his Utah Jazz days. Getting him into the Lakers’ system, though, has clearly raised the ceiling even further.
"He's a fantastic basketball player, and I think he'll continue to get better. That was one of the reasons that we wanted him and he was so appealing to us it was because of his age. And feeling like the fit with our two stars was really good," Redick said about Kessler after the Lakers' second game.
With Doncic, Kessler, and Austin Reaves in place, the Lakers have a trio they’ll be leaning on heavily. If the early surge from that group is any indication, Los Angeles could be shaping up as one of the Western Conference’s most dangerous teams.
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