What happened: Walker Kessler credited Los Angeles' perimeter defenders for smart positioning and ball pressure. He described a mix of positional defenders and ball hawks who hound handlers.

Why it matters: Los Angeles added the Walker Kessler acquisition formalized in July to anchor the paint, putting perimeter containment at a premium. Complementary point-of-attack defense will shape whether the Lakers profile as a contender entering 2026-27.

What to watch: Los Angeles continues camp ahead of preseason with the roster cut to 15 due Oct. 20.