Walker Kessler is back on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it’s not the same guy who averaged 65 games a year his first three seasons. A torn labrum in his left shoulder sidelined him for almost all of last season, letting him suit up for only five games before November even hit. Now, after that lengthy layoff, he’s got a newfound drive and he’s ready to help the Lakers win as many games as possible in the 2026-27 season.
The Hunger Games: Kessler’s Return
You gotta respect a player who sits out and just yearns for the competition. Kessler made it clear what was eating at him. “I think what I missed most was just competing, quite frankly. Competing to win,” he said after Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. That’s the spirit you want to see. He’s not just happy to be back, he’s driven to dominate. And he thinks that drive will translate directly to his play. Kessler believes this experience 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.” You can’t ask for a more energized return than that. A guy who’s been sidelined that long, especially with a season-ending injury, often comes back with a fire you just can’t manufacture.
Win-Now vs. What’s Next
This season isn’t just a comeback story for Kessler, it’s a whole new chapter in his career. This is the first time he’s playing for a team that is fully committed to winning right now. Think about it, that’s a massive shift. With the Utah Jazz during his Salt Lake City tenure, the emphasis was on development and, let’s be real, landing better lottery odds. While the Jazz were competitive his rookie year, winning 37 games in 2022-23, they actually traded away key contributors after a 19-16 start. They ended up going 18-29, sacrificing a potential postseason berth for future prospects.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are absolutely built for immediate success. They’re led by two bona fide, in-your-prime stars in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Plus, Kessler is just one of a slew of other players on the squad who are also in the prime of their careers. It’s going to be fascinating to see if these “win-now circumstances” give Kessler that subtle on-court boost everyone is looking for. His energy is clearly through the roof, but how will that translate when the games really count?
The Lakers wrap up their preseason Friday night at home against the Denver Nuggets. But the real show starts next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. when they welcome the Golden State Warriors to town for their regular-season opener. That’s when we’ll finally get a meaningful glimpse of how Kessler is truly faring in his new surroundings, and what his newfound hunger means for this Lakers squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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