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“There’s a couple of people, man. Obviously we know what Austin and Luka can do and then you got a lot of heavy on Walker Kessler. But I’m looking at guys like the rook, Cameron Carr, but like Ziaire (Williams) and Mamu (Sandro Mamukelashvili). Like those two guys, Collin Sexton, a defensive presence that could come off the bench or start, be a point guard for them. Those three guys, to me, can be X-factors for the group, like what Jake (LaRavia) was last year. Jake can still carry that over and be better, but I think those three guys are guys that I’m looking at that can probably make a jump and make this team dangerous, if they progress.”
The 2026 Los Angeles Lakers will be a new era for the team, as they will look vastly different after a busy offseason that has been built around Luka Dončić, with hopes of winning an NBA title for the 18th time in franchise history. Robert Horry, who helped win three of the Lakers’ five titles in the 2000’s said he believes top free-agent acquisition Walker Kessler will be the difference-maker this season. “When you watch what Walker Kessler brings to the game, he’s so incredibly skilled and we haven’t had a big since AD that can block shots like that, pop out for threes,” Horry said. “So I just hope he stays healthy — Him missing damn near all season, how much rust has he developed?”
Sometimes the trio would be playing so well that the Jazz would bench them as they tried to maximize draft position. Still, some insiders say we should temper our expectations. "They lost their center," said a scout, referring to the decision to sign-and-trade Walker Kessler to the Lakers. "They will probably be able to replace him with the stuff they got [two first-round picks and two pick swaps], but they're going to feel not having him. I'm not as optimistic."
“AR had a fantastic season last year, well-deserving of the contract he got and everything,” Grimes said on 710 AM ESPN L.A. with Mason & Ireland. “He’s one of the best scorers in the NBA, probably. Walker (Kessler), you know, is one of the best rim protectors. I know he only played like four or five games last year, but everybody knows what he does. Nobody wants to go in that paint, 7’2” guy he’s going to block shots. He’s going to give us a definite advantage because people aren’t gonna go in that paint, so we can guard and put pressure on the ball even more knowing we got big Walker down in the paint holding it down. “We got guys like Collin (Sexton), a dog. (Sandro) Mamu, a dog, already getting out here and getting work in. So, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I feel like we’re going to surprise some people for sure with how good we are and clicking on all cylinders, I think.”
Oh No He Didn't: Shams on Peyton Watson negotiations with the Nuggets: "In a potential sign and trade, the Nuggets initially had set a price this off season of similar to the Walker Kessler deal of two first and two swaps in any potential deal. Now that price, my understanding is a really good high level player as well as a first round pick"
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Dave McMenamin: ‘Between now and the start of the regular season, they could carry 16 players, they carry up to 20 through training camp, but through now to the start of the regular season, you got to get rid of a player. Whether that's going to be continuing to try to move someone like Jarred Vanderbilt or Dalton Knecht, that they've not had success with thus far, and they've quite frankly tried for a while here, or could it be someone like Jaden Hardy who was picked up in the Deandre Ayton deal that was really more about trying to get some draft assets from Washington and move off of Ayton to make room for your new centers with Kevon Looney and Walker Kessler than it was about necessarily Hardy. That's one thing that absolutely has to happen. So that means their work's not done.’
The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic. They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Sandro Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Matisse Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity.
Khobi Price: Walker Kessler said he's "excited to play again" after being limited to five games in 2025-26: "Sitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective. The heart grows fond in absence." Mentioned that he's "100% cleared" after the left shoulder surgery. He originally injured the shoulder in college:
Khobi Price: Walker Kessler on shooting 3s after averaging a career high 1.6 3PAs in 2025-26 before his season ended in five because of shoulder surgery: "Coach JJ is obviously hyper intelligent. Obviously, being a shooter himself, we've talked about it and he wants me to be able to do that. Because I think for a big to be able to stretch the floor like that or even have the threat of it, I think it makes other teams scout really difficult. Cuz whether I can do that on the pop or catch on the pop, go second side or be able to roll, both those things are gonna be really important."
Khobi Price: Walker Kessler on the Lakers making a significant investment (contract plus draft picks) to acquire him from the Jazz: "It definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you. And I think what they've invested, they're showing that belief in a monetary value, not just with money, but like you said, assets. And for me, I'm somebody that if I know that they have that belief in me, I'm gonna run through a brick wall for them."
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Khobi Price: Austin Reaves on the Lakers' addition of Walker Kessler, who Austin was teammates with during the 2023 World Cup: "He’s a big, goofy dude that just enjoys life and has fun. Obviously you see what he does basketball wise and how he impacts the game. He’s good defensively, good in the pocket. Just a smart player. So I’m happy to have him on the team and get to play with him."
Atlanta, sources say, has also shown some fresh interest in Watson, which would likewise require a sign-and-trade to make it happen. That said, whether it's the Hawks or the Clippers or any other suitor, sources maintain that the Nuggets are seeking compensation on par with what Utah received from the Lakers in their recent sign-and-trade swap that made Walker Kessler a Laker.
Of course, there is upside to the new cast of characters. Walker Kessler is a 7-foot-2 young defensive anchor, Quentin Grimes has 3-and-D capabilities on the wing, Sandro Mamukelashvili is a bruising forward with outside range and Collin Sexton can provide instant offense off the bench and competes on the other end. A source familiar with Luka Doncic’s thinking told ESPN he was “excited” about the new players and “looking forward to getting to work with this group.”
Kessler is viewed as the “perfect” fit alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, according executives and scouts around the league. He is seen as a very good rebounder, shot-blocker and lob threat, which goes with what Doncic likes to have on his team. The NBA announced that the salary cap for the 2026-27 season is set at $164.961 million and the tax level is at $200.428 million. The first apron level is $209.015 million and the second apron is $221.686 million.
