Through five games last year, Walker Kessler was off to the best start of his career as he averaged 14.4 points (78.6 percent true shooting), 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocks. But his quick success was immediately derailed as he suffered a labral tear in his left shoulder and underwent season-ending surgery shortly afterward.
Despite that, the Los Angeles Lakers were willing to dole out two unprotected first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps and a four-year, $130 million contract for
Kessler’s services to land their center of the future. The organization seems optimistic about both his recovery and how he fits with the roster. During Monday’s media day, Kessler addressed the injury and told reporters he’s entirely past the problem, with full confidence from both Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick in his health.
“I’ll speak to the health. I feel 110%. My shoulder feels better than it’s ever felt,” Kessler said. “To have that confidence in playing is going to be really important. As far as my injury, speaking to [President of Basketball Operations] Rob [Pelinka] and then [head coach] JJ [Redick], we haven’t really talked about it because they believe in it. It’s back to better than what it was. So there’s no question in my mind about it.”
Kessler didn’t have much injury trouble through the first three seasons of his career. While a handful of minor issues kept him out of games once the new year began in 2023-24 and 2024-25, he still averaged ~65 games per season from 20223-23 to 2024-25. If the Lakers organization is confident in his availability, fans likely should be, too.
Kessler is critical to the Lakers’ success this season. I’m fascinated to see how he’s deployed on both ends and whether he forms more chemistry offensively with Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves, which I assume will impact how Redick opts to stagger his starters throughout the rotation.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
