Walker Kessler said the belief shown by the Los Angeles Lakers has made him eager to contribute after joining the team in a blockbuster offseason move, saying he can “run through a brick wall” for the organization and his teammates.
Kessler spoke about his new role during Lakers media day on Monday, September 28, highlighting the fit he sees alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and the opportunity to compete for a championship.
“Obviously playing with a guy like Luka and AR that are unbelievable guards, and especially AR in the pick-and-roll, but Luka, you know, in Dallas with playing the kind of the lob threat big,” Kessler said. “The formula has been done before and it makes sense.”
The Lakers acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and subsequently agreed to a four-year, $129.5 million contract with him. Los Angeles also sent four first-round assets to Utah as part of the deal.
Kessler said the Lakers’ confidence in him has increased his motivation entering his first season with the franchise.
“As far as the belief that they’ve shown in me, I mean, it makes me excited for this year,” Kessler said. “It makes me feel like that, you know, I can run through a brick wall for this organization, this team, my teammates.”
He later explained that phrase in terms of the small details he believes can help a team win.
“For me, it’s just doing the little things and just competing my tail off every night and doing all the little stuff, whether that’s setting a hard screen, crashing the glass, sprinting the floor, just doing all the things that it takes to win,” Kessler said.
The 25-year-old center also described the Lakers’ historic status as an opportunity rather than something that creates additional pressure.
“I think with the fan base and, you know, everyone loves the Lakers and wants them to succeed and that can be, you know, looked at as pressure, so to speak,” Kessler said. “But I think it’s more of an opportunity to play for an historic franchise.”
Kessler spent his first four NBA seasons with Utah, averaging 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes over 201 games. He made his biggest statistical jump in 2024-25, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 58 games.
His 2025-26 season was limited to five games, but Kessler said he is fully healthy entering his Lakers tenure.
“I feel 110%. I mean, my shoulder feels better than it’s ever felt,” Kessler said. “So, to have that confidence in playing is going to be really important.”
Kessler also credited Doncic for helping build chemistry within the new-look Lakers during their preseason trip to Slovenia. He recalled catching his first lob from Doncic there.
“He kind of just threw it and I was there,” Kessler said. “Caught it, dunked it, ran back down, high-fived, and I was like, ‘Yep, I can get used to this.’”
The Lakers’ new center said the Slovenia trip also showed him the character of the roster, with the group focused on working, competing and improving together.
“I think that’s, you know, what makes up a or part of what makes up a championship team,” Kessler said.
Kessler also emphasized his desire to expand his offensive game, including his three-point shooting and passing, while maintaining the defensive and physical impact that has defined his NBA career.
“Just being reminded, you know, of the impact I can have without necessarily, you know, having the ball in my hand,” Kessler said.
