When it comes to how Walker Kessler will help the Los Angeles Lakers, most people have been focused on his shot-blocking and rebounding. He is elite in both categories, and he will undoubtedly make an impact in that regard.
While Kessler isn’t a big offensive threat, he also has the ability to assist the Lakers on that end as well. He is an effective lob threat, and his ability to grab offensive rebounds creates easy layup and dunk opportunities for him.
But the 7-foot-2 center’s ability to impact the Lakers offensively isn’t necessarily limited to those areas. An executive in their front office outlined how Kessler’s overall game can help unlock L.A.’s overall offensive potential, per Keith Smith of spotrac.com.
“We knew we needed a defensive anchor. Walker can protect the rim and rebound. Those two things not only help our defense, but it can help trigger our offense too. Last year, we had to gang rebound a lot. This year, Walker should help get the ball and get us out and running,” a Lakers front office executive said. “On offense, he’s better than people realize. He’s got excellent touch in the paint and around the rim. The jumper is coming too. He’ll be excellent in the screen game for Luka (Doncic), Austin (Reaves), Collin (Sexton) and Quentin (Grimes).”
Los Angeles has had trouble cleaning up its defensive glass over the last few years. With Kessler, as well as other new additions such as big men Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney, the team should improve on the boards, which should give it more transition opportunities that it can take advantage of.
Before shoulder surgery ended his 2025-26 season following five games, Kessler was also showing preliminary signs of developing a 3-point shot. In those games, he went 6-of-8 from that distance, and becoming a respectable, if not a good, 3-point shooter would open up options in the Lakers’ offense.
In his last full season, which came during the 2024-25 campaign, Kessler averaged 11.1 points on 66.3% shooting, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 30 minutes a game. Having just turned 25 years of age on July 26, he could still have significant room for improvement.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers executive on how Walker Kessler will help the team offensively
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
