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When he’s at his best, Matisse Thybulle is already regarded as an elite, ball-hawking wing. Now think about what the new Lakers guard can do with Walker Kessler by his side.
“[I] just feel like I can fully live up to my defensive potential,” Thybulle said Monday at Lakers media day, “because of having a rim protector like Walker.”
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Just as Kessler is expected to lift the Lakers’ offense by pairing with Luka Doncic, the Lakers are equally excited for the influence Kessler can have on defense. The 7-foot-2 center is the type of rim-protecting force that can unlock a new scheme and elevate his teammates as the Lakers compete in a top-heavy Western Conference.
Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers’ tendency to switch on defense in recent years was “by necessity.” The Lakers, with the inconsistent Deandre Ayton at center, ranked 20th in defensive rating last season with just 4.3 blocks per game. Their 41 rebounds per game ranked 27th.
Read more: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ready to take charge of new-look Lakers
In 2024-25, his last full season, Kessler was second in the NBA in blocks (2.4). The former Utah Jazz center averaged a double-double (11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds) during his third year, looking primed for a breakthrough. Then, a shoulder injury limited him to just five games last season.
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The Lakers believe the 25-year-old Kessler’s talent, age and fit with Doncic and fellow star guard Austin Reaves made him worthy of a high-investment sign-and-trade; the Lakers sent four first-round draft picks to Utah to secure the restricted free agent, who then signed a four-year, $130-million deal with L.A.
“I think the Lakers organization is obviously a historic organization, and there’s maybe added pressure to that,” Kessler said. “But I think for me, with that pressure comes a lot of opportunity to play at a stage like this and to compete for a championship. I think that with the price they gave [for] me, again, speaking to the belief that they showed me, it makes me want to play my best ball for them.”
Lakers center Walker Kessler participates in a video shoot during the team’s media day in El Segundo on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/healthy-motivated-walker-kessler-could-110000101.html
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Publish date : 2026-09-29 11:00:00
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