Walker Kessler didn’t exactly leave much room for doubt on Tuesday. The Lakers big man made it clear he believes this group can be a force on defense, and he pointed straight to the mix of size, veteran know-how and perimeter help as the reason.
“We’re going to be a nasty defensive team… I’m just being honest,” said Kessler to reporters. “Seeing these guys having the ball on the perimeter and [Kevon Looney’s] mind and positioning on defense is elite, too.
We’re going to be really good defensively. We have a lot of defensive tools.”
That confidence comes with the Lakers still carrying a fair amount of skepticism heading toward the 2026-27 campaign. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves helped push the team to 53 wins last season, but questions remain about whether the defense can hold up at the level needed to match that kind of offensive firepower.
Kessler believes the answer starts with Looney, whose years spent around elite defensive teams have already stood out to him. But he also sees a roster that can take pressure off the middle, especially with perimeter defenders such as Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton helping to clean things up before it reaches the rim.
“Makes my job a lot easier, no question,” said Kessler. “Having those guys who can not only steal the ball, but when they do get beat, recover. It makes my job a lot easier… they’re unbelievable defenders.”
The Lakers paid a steep price to land Kessler, agreeing to a four-year, $130 million deal, but they view him as a natural fit next to Doncic. At 7’2″ and 245 pounds, he brings the kind of rim protection that changes how opponents attack, and he has built a reputation as a shot blocker who can anchor the paint.
There’s also more to his game than that. Kessler has been working to stretch his offensive impact and make himself more involved on that end, while also putting pressure on opposing frontcourts. For him, it all adds up to a team that can do more than just survive defensively.
“I think we have a lot of great tools and versatility,” Kessler added. “And I think connection makes championship teams, and I think we’re definitely going to be a contender.”
With Doncic directing the offense and Reaves alongside him, the Lakers already look built to score. The bigger question has been what happens when the game tilts to the other side of the floor, and Kessler is betting the answer is good enough to carry them deep.
That becomes even more important once the playoffs arrive. The Lakers believe they have a real answer for some of the league’s toughest centers, including Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. Kessler may not be on that same tier, but his value to this roster is obvious heading into the new season.
Head coach JJ Redick has also come away encouraged by what he’s seen this offseason, including the players-only minicamp in Slovenia. There is still work to be done, but the early signs around this team have been positive.
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