Walker Kessler is perfect fit next to Lakers Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

For nearly three months, the internal reasonings for many of the Lakers’ offseason decisions hadn’t been divulged. The biggest among them: Why the Lakers were comfortable investing as much as they did to acquire Walker Kessler from the Jazz via sign-and-trade.Yes, Kessler has statistically been one of the NBA’s best rim protectors since entering the league in 2022.And yes, he’s also been elite with his efficiency as a scorer around the rim (albeit on easier shots). But Kessler hadn’t played many games with true consequences since being selected with the No.22 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, not playing in a single postseason game after four tanking-filled seasons in Utah.He lacked individual professional accolades, not being named to a single All-NBA, All-Star or All-Defensive team since entering the league (he played on the 2023 Team USA World Cup team that finished in fourth place).This is before even mentioning the fact he only played in five regular-season games in 2025-26, with a torn posterior labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery and ended his season early. And yet, the Lakers not only signed Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract but they also sent the Jazz unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, trading most of their draft capital.The Lakers’ rationale for investing as much as they did to get Kessler was simple. “Walker’s a perfect fit for Luka [Doncic] and [Austin Reaves],” coach JJ Redick said during his joint preseason media availability with president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka. Redick added: “If you canvassed the league and looked at age groups, even the ability to acquire someone, he’s just the perfect fit for those guys and building out the next phase of the Lakers.”Pelinka echoed Redick.“Twenty-five-year-old, two-way centers that are retrofitted perfectly for our two max guys in Luka and Austin just don’t exist,” Pelinka said.

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