Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler is absolutely convinced his squad is about to flip the script, telling reporters Tuesday they’re “gonna be a nasty defensive team” for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Kessler isn’t just whistling Dixie either. He followed up, saying, “I’m just being honest, seeing these guys hound the ball on the perimeter.” He doubled down, adding, “We’re gonna be really good defensively. We have a lot of defensive tools.” That’s a huge statement from the big man.
The ‘Nasty’ Defense They Need, Not What They Had
Let’s be real. The Lakers were *not* known for shutting anyone down last year. Far from it, actually. They clocked in at a dismal No. 20 among all teams with a 115.5 defensive rating, according to NBA.com. You heard that right, *No. 20*. When you’ve got offensive star power like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who aren’t exactly known for their lockdown D, you need serious reinforcements if you want to climb out of that hole. That’s exactly why Kessler was one of the big offseason moves the front office made. They brought him in as a critical piece to mold them into a true two-way squad. It’s clear they needed a big shift in defensive identity.
Kessler’s Rim Protection is No Joke
Kessler knows a thing or two about defense. This is his first season in Los Angeles after spending four years with the Utah Jazz, where he quickly became one of the league’s top rim protectors. We’re talking a career average of 2.4 blocks per game. That’s absolutely elite. Even though he was limited to just five appearances last season due to shoulder surgery, he still managed to suit up in a solid 58 games during his 2024-25 campaign. In that 2024-25 run, opponents shot a mere 49.0 percent against him within six feet of the basket, ranking him No. 7 among all players who logged at least 40 contests. The Lakers are clearly banking on that kind of game-changing presence, and they are not stopping there. They’ve also brought in active perimeter defenders like Matisse Thybulle and Quentin Grimes, hoping to seriously upgrade their on-ball defense.
The Lakers have a lot riding on these new additions and Kessler’s confident vision. They will open their 2025-26 campaign against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. Everyone will be watching closely to see if Kessler’s bold prediction for a truly “nasty” defense becomes reality or just another lofty claim. Will they live up to the hype?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply