Through the first three seasons of Walker Kessler’s NBA career, he averaged 65 games played per year. Last season, however, a torn labrum in his left shoulder spoiled his campaign before November arrived and he only suited up for five games. After the lengthy layoff, he’s back and equipped with a newfound drive to help the Los Angeles Lakers win as many games as possible in 2026-27.
“I think what I missed most was just competing, quite frankly. Competing to win,” Kessler said following Tuesday’s loss
to the Golden State Warriors. “And I think as far as making me a better basketball player, I just think it has made me long to go try to win every game and win every night. So in turn, that probably makes me a little better basketball player.”
This season will also mark the first time in Kessler’s career he’s playing for a team fully committed to immediate winning. That’s not to besmirch the Utah Jazz but merely a recognition of their emphasis on development and willingness to sacrifice short-term gains in pursuit of better lottery odds to land the best prospects possible throughout Kessler’s Salt Lake City tenure. While they were competitive and won 37 games during his rookie season in 2022-23, they traded away some key contributors and went 18-29 following a 19-16 start, which they could’ve propelled into a postseason berth had they so chosen.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are led by two in-your-prime stars with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who are flanked by a slew of other players, Kessler included, in the prime of their careers. It’ll be interesting to see whether entering win-now circumstances provides Kessler a subtle on-court boost, in addition to how energized he sounds to simply be back on the floor again.
Kessler and the Lakers return to the court Friday night in their preseason finale at home against the Denver Nuggets. Then, they’ll welcome the Warriors to town for their regular-season opener Wednesday night at 7 p.m. That’s when we’ll get our first meaningful glimpse as to how Kessler is faring in his new surroundings.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
