Walker Kessler tasked with anchoring Lakers defense in 2026-27

Signed 4-year, $130M deal this offseason

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

Walker Kessler looks to make an impact on the @Lakers! 😤 @jovanbuha joins @Mike_Yam to discuss the Lakers' new acquisit Via @NBATV on X

What happened: Walker Kessler joins the Los Angeles Lakers entering the 2026-27 season as a defensive addition. Jovan Buha joined Mike Yam on NBA TV's The Association to break down his fit in Los Angeles.

Why it matters: Los Angeles adds rim protection and efficient finishing to its frontcourt entering camp. Kessler said this week the Lakers' perimeter defense is being overlooked.

What to watch: Preseason will clarify rotation pairings around Kessler. Early camp reps will show how Los Angeles deploys him defensively.

Sources

@NBATV 2026-10-01T14:30:14.027321+00:00

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