Walker Kessler Discussion: Rim Protector And Lob Threat

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by KareemtheGreat33, Jul 1, 2026 at 8:34 AM.

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  1. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers Legend -

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    I do like adding Kessler in and of itself. We needed a center and he was the best available.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:09 AM
    #21
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  2. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah, I like him better than Duren for the make up of this team. We needed a defensive anchor.
     
    tada, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:17 AM
    #22
  3. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    We need one even more now with 3 stiffs in our starting lineup. Poor Kessler is going to be asked to perform miracles protecting the rim.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:19 AM
    #23
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  4. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    Excellent signing. The front court should be good and we got younger. I’d also say grittier, but again… losing Smart hurts.
     
    karacha, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:44 AM
    #24
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  5. Toklat

    Toklat - Lakers Starter -

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    The Lakers are back!
     
    Toklat, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:50 AM
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  6. Astros

    Astros - Rookie -

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    My concern is how Keon Ellis + Smart got $15 million combined.

    Is that not better than Grimes? I think Carr can develop into a Grimes-type player so not exactly a necessary signing IMO.

    Keon Ellis + Smart running the perimeter defense and funneling that to Walker Kessler would make a lot more sense. But it is what it is at this point.
     
    Astros, Jul 1, 2026 at 9:50 AM
    #26
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  7. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    wrong thread, but this is probably my biggest gripe.

    as for kessler, i was prepared to pay him the max and probably spend a first for the privilege. if we sent out 2 firsts, I wanted to move some salary, but i guess beggars couldn't be choosers. we would have traded all the firsts for kessler last year, happily. gleefully.
     
    abeer3, Jul 1, 2026 at 10:43 AM
    #27
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  8. JDLakersFan2019

    JDLakersFan2019 - Rookie -

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    What a horrible overpay. Man I can’t stand Rob Pelinka.
     
    JDLakersFan2019, Jul 1, 2026 at 12:16 PM
    #28
  9. Juronimo

    Juronimo - Lakers Starter -

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    I know nothing about Kessler. Can he protect the rim? Is he a lob threat? Can he space the floor? Is he athletic?
     
    Juronimo, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM
    #29
  10. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    He’s going to have to earn that money immediately wow



    Yes. Yes. Maybe at some point, he started making some corner threes last year in a handful of games, but he’s not a stretch big as of now. He’s not NOT athletic, but I mean he’s huge, so he’s going to be relatively slower. I don’t think he’s like a big lumbering stiff, but not the best athlete in the world. I guess relatively athletic for his size/position?
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:36 PM
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  11. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    He played for USA team at world cup,and because of Kerr love for small ball s*** , he did not get a lot of playing time
    But back to your question yes ,yes ,yes and yes
     
    KuzmoBall17, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM
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  12. ADKOBE

    ADKOBE - Lakers 6th Man -

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    The Lakers are back!
     
    ADKOBE, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
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  13. Juronimo

    Juronimo - Lakers Starter -

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    Why did he only 5 games last year? Why passed on the Charlotte center due to potential injury. What's the deal there?
     
    Juronimo, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
    #33
  14. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    He had a torn labrum in his shoulder, had surgery on it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could have actually come back and play some, but the Jazz were tanking, so they likely said just sit out the year.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:45 PM
    #34
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  15. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers All Star -

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    He injured his shoulder and Utah was committed to lose. He doesn't seem to have any lingering injury, to my knowledge
     
    pika1708, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM
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  16. Kou

    Kou - Lakers 6th Man -

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    That is mental, 2 picks and two swaps? For Kessler, Christ.
     
    Kou, Jul 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM
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  17. LakeShowAZ

    LakeShowAZ - Lakers 6th Man -

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    How is he at rebounding?

    Aggressive enough on both ends?
     
    LakeShowAZ, Jul 1, 2026 at 2:55 PM
    #37
  18. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers All Star -

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    Elite, probably his best trait.

    He will absolutely average a double double and probably closer to 15rebs than 10.
    I think he had already a few 20-20 games
     
    pika1708, Jul 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
    #38
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  19. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    OK Mark YOU OK'd Kessler at this price and Luka wanted him. Now let's see you bring in the right f****** developmental guys to expand his game!!

    :ADeyesonyouleft:

    Does Walker Kessler have any pick and pop shooting to his repertroire?

    AI Overview


    Walker Kessler has been actively expanding his game to include three-point shooting and pick-and-pop opportunities. While his primary role remains a rim-running lob threat, both he and his coaching staffs have deliberately tinkered with spacing the floor and taking catch-and-shoot threes.
    His development from the perimeter has progressed as follows:
    • Offensive Expansion: Historically known as a cutter and interior finisher, he was given the green light to shoot during the final stretch of past seasons to add a floor-spacing element to his repertoire.
    • Shooting Consistency: His deep shooting remains a developing facet of his game with varying results as he adjusts to live-game scenarios. He has shown flashes of success, including perfect shooting performances featuring made three-pointers.
    • Team Strategy: Coaches view his perimeter attempts as a long-term project to keep him on the floor, while Kessler himself has noted that expanding his scoring range away from being strictly a pick-and-roll big will open up the rest of the court.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jul 1, 2026 at 2:58 PM
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  20. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    He’s good, averaged 12 rpg 2 seasons ago and led the league in offensive rpg at 4.6.
     
    Weezy, Jul 1, 2026 at 2:58 PM
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