The Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler from Utah in a sign-and-trade and signed him to a four-year, $130 million deal. Coach JJ Redick said he wants Kessler protecting the rim alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, citing San Antonio’s use of Victor Wembanyama.
Kessler is entering his fifth season. A shoulder injury limited him to five appearances last season; he averaged more than two blocks per game in each of his first three seasons and was near that mark in those five games.
Redick’s Wembanyama reference was specifically about keeping a center near the basket. The report notes Kessler is not a stretch big and does not have Wembanyama’s scoring touch. Redick also said Kessler can play in the pocket and finish lobs; he said the Lakers led the league in lob dunks last season.
