Walker Kessler has barely touched the court with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, playing alongside Reaves for only two preseason games and Dončić for a singular preseason contest last week. That’s it, folks. That super abbreviated run means these three need way more time to get in sync, a fact Kessler is definitely feeling as the regular season kicks off.
Kessler Is Embracing the Learning Curve
Look, when you’re playing with two offensive dynamos like Luka and AR, it’s gonna take some serious reps to find that rhythm. Kessler himself knows this is a “transitional period” trying to mesh with both of them on the floor. We’re talking about figuring out each other’s cadences in pick-and-rolls, knowing exactly what angles Reaves and Dončić want their screens set at, and really maximizing the defensive gravity those two ball-handlers command. After Friday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, Kessler told reporters he was starting to “get it a little” when it came to blitzing ball screens and playing out of that pocket. He said Dončić and Reaves are “pretty used to that” and called their ability to share the ball “fantastic.” He’s clearly enjoying the opportunity, but don’t kid yourself, this is a whole new language they’re learning together.
From Stationary to Short-Roll Star?
During his four years with the Utah Jazz, Kessler’s playmaking usually came from stationary spots, like dribble handoffs or hanging out around the high post and elbows. That’s all changing in Los Angeles. Why? Because defenses are gonna sell out to trap Dončić and Reaves out of ball-screens, which means Kessler has to be ready to punish them. We saw flashes of it on Friday night, where two of his four assists came from short-roll situations. He found Ziaire Williams for a sick dunk and then zipped a pass to Matisse Thybulle for an open three. To really make this Dončić-Reaves-Kessler trio lethal, Kessler HAS to be a reliable short-roll outlet. He needs to make opponents think twice about just collapsing on Luka and AR every single time. Kessler gets it: this comfort won’t come overnight. But those flashes on Friday? That’s a huge positive start.
So, what’s next for this evolving trio? Their first real test, their first consequential game, is Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors. Can Kessler build on those early flashes and start to click with Luka and AR when it truly counts? We’re all gonna be watching to see if this “transitional period” starts to pay off.
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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