Walker Kessler is officially the new starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2026-27 NBA season, and the man has a mountain to climb, immediately facing the absolute toughest big men in the league. After cruising a bit with the Utah Jazz, where expectations weren’t through the roof, Kessler’s got a huge role on his shoulders now, with everything to prove.
Kessler’s New Gig: No More Easy Nights
This isn’t Utah anymore, folks. Kessler’s reliable defensive game is about to get a serious workout. With the Lakers betting on him to anchor their defense, he’s not just playing against any centers, he’s going head-to-head with guys like Nikola Jokic. We all know Jokic isn’t just a powerful dude down low. He’s got skills that make him nearly impossible to guard with just brute force. You try to get physical, he’ll just pass you into oblivion. That’s the challenge Kessler signed up for, and it’s a monumental one.
Jokic Ran Wild, And Kessler Was Taking Notes
You want to see what Kessler’s up against? Look no further than the Lakers’ final preseason game against the Nuggets. Denver took it 121-106, and Jokic? He was just doing Jokic things. The guy dropped 17 points, grabbed 6 boards, and dished out 8 assists, missing only ONE shot the entire game. And guess who was his primary matchup? Yep, Walker Kessler.
Kessler wasn’t shy about what that duel felt like. He admitted, “It knocked off a lot of rust. There’s a pile in my locker. There’s a reason why he is who he is. He’s arguably the best big in the league and best player in the league.” He even tossed in a little shoutout to Luka, saying, “I would argue Luka’s better obviously for obvious reasons, but I mean he’s an exceptional player. It’s been a long time since I’ve really competed against someone like that, since November basically of last year. So definitely was nice to get that in before it actually counts.” That’s real talk from a guy who just went toe-to-toe with a living legend. He knows the score, he knows what he’s up against.
What’s Next: Time To Face The Music
The preseason cobwebs are officially shaken off, and now it’s go-time for Walker Kessler. He’s had his crash course against the best, learned what it means to guard one of the league’s most imposing figures. Now, with the regular season kicking off, it’s all about bringing that experience and stepping up to play at the highest level possible for the Lakers. Every game counts, and every big man he faces from here on out will be a test. Lakers fans are gonna be watching closely to see how quickly he adapts and improves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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