How does Walker Kessler expect for his Lakers debut to really feel when he steps on the flooring Wednesday night time at Crypto.com Arena?
“Couldn’t tell you – I haven’t played yet,” he responded while laughing after Tuesday’s apply, the remaining tune-up session before the staff’s common season opener against the Warriors.
But even with out being on the court docket yet, the Lakers’ marquee offseason acquisition knew there would be pregame jitters.
After enjoying in a pair of preseason video games, Walker Kessler is prepared for his actual Lakers debut. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Wednesday will be Kessler’s first common season sport since Oct. 31, 2025 with the Jazz, with the 7-foot-2 middle having season-ending shoulder surgical procedure in November that sidelined him for the the rest of 2025-26.
“I’m just so excited to get back out there,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve played in a real NBA game.”
Walker Kessler hasn’t performed much NBA basketball over the last 18 months. NBAE via Getty Images
And when factoring in Kessler performed just 5 video games before having shoulder surgical procedure, and the reality that he performed in just one of Utah’s remaining eight video games to shut out the 2024-25 season, it’s been a while since he’s performed basketball constantly.
He’s performed in just six common season video games since March 28, 2025.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Kessler said. “There’s going to be a lot of nerves going into the game. But as soon as the whistle blows and you tip the ball, I think the rest of it will take care of itself. Obviously getting back in the rhythm is going to be big for me. But it comes to the reps, and I’m just moving forward with the opportunity and just to play again.”
The Lakers have excessive expectations for Kessler as a complementary participant to star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The chemistry between Luka Doncic (77) and Walker Kessler (14) will be monitored all through the season. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s why they inked him to a four-year, $130 million contract as half of a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, with Utah also receiving unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 from the Lakers as half of the commerce.
They’re also taking a long-term method to the 25-year-old large man to develop into the participant they envision.
“With him, coaches, players, all that stuff, it’s like let’s take a big picture view of all of this stuff,” coach JJ Redick said. “We’ve got to take a large image method with certain issues. The same means that we got to take a large image method with Cam [Carr] and his growth – same factor with Walker.
“He’s never played with a player like Luka before, right? He’s never really been tasked with being the anchor of a defense. These are things that we think he can be [at] All-Star level, and it’s going to take time. This is going to be a process with him.”
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