The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their Media Day this Monday with some serious hype around their new big man, Walker Kessler. The team shelled out a mind-blowing $130 million over four years, not to mention two future first-round draft picks and two pick swaps, just to get this guy in the purple and gold. The mood at the UCLA Health Training Center was totally upbeat, with everyone buzzing about the new season.
The Price Tag of Impact: A High-Stakes Bet
Kessler is one of nine new faces on the squad, but he’s expected to make the biggest splash. That hefty price tag has definitely sparked some debate; some folks think the Lakers gave up way too much, while others are convinced he’s gonna be worth every single penny. What we do know is that Luka Doncic was pushing hard for a prominent center this summer, and the franchise clearly listened. Talk about putting your money where your star player’s mouth is, right?
Luka’s Seal of Approval and Kessler’s Comeback
Doncic himself said on Monday that Kessler will be an “amazing fit” for the Lakers and will “greatly help the team.” He even admitted to Khobi Price of the California Post that going up against Kessler in the past was seriously tough. And it makes sense why. Kessler isn’t just a shot-blocking machine; he’s also a fantastic rebounder and a major lob threat. At only 25 years old, he’s still got room to grow offensively, especially after experimenting with some 3-point shooting before his season got cut short by a torn labrum. The good news? He confirmed his surgically repaired shoulder is fully healthy, feeling even better than before the injury. His career numbers are solid, too: 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes through four seasons. He’s coming from an “allegedly tanking” Utah Jazz squad to a Lakers team that expects to be in the playoffs, so the stakes are way different now.
With training camp officially underway and the new season just around the corner, the Lakers are clearly putting all their chips on the table. They aren’t just hoping for the playoffs; they fully expect to make it, and Walker Kessler is a massive part of that vision.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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