Walker Kessler

The Lakers have played seven games in November, and Kessler has recorded a double-double in six of them. In addition to the double-doubles, the 7-footer has blocked at least one shot in 11 of 13 games this season. Thus far, Kessler has been everything that fantasy managers hoped he would be in Los Angeles, and then some.

Kessler got off to an outstanding start with 15 first-half points and he managed to pull down just enough rebounds to notch a double-double for the seventh consecutive game since late October. The 25-year-old big man has fit seamlessly into Los Angeles’ nucleus after missing nearly all of last season following shoulder surgery.

The 16 boards were a season-high for Kessler as he recorded his fifth double-digit rebounding performance of his Lakers debut, taking advantage of the absence of Detroit’s powerful center Jalen Duren, who remains out with a hamstring injury. He’s notched all five of those efforts over his last six games since October 30. He came up with a key offensive rebound and converted a three-point play to give the Lakers a commanding eight-point advantage with just over two minutes left in regulation. The Lakers have a three-game week on tap that includes matchups against the Hawks, Bucks and Suns.

After falling two rebounds shy of a double-double in Wednesday’s win over the Kings, Kessler recorded his fourth in the Lakers’ last five games on Friday. The 7-footer hasn’t missed a game this season and has already established good chemistry with Lakers stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Through 10 games, Kessler has been an excellent center for managers punting free-throw percentage.

Walker has really benefited from playing off Luka at this point. His shot attempts are up, he’s been putting up great defensive numbers, especially in this game, and the Lakers have been winning. It is notable that the Lakers’ defensive rating hasn’t been as good as you would want, so his overall impact defensively has been good but not at the level the Lakers need it to be.

Kessler has finally started dominating the glass. He has recorded three straight double-doubles and has at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in each of his last two outings. Kessler has been exactly what the Lakers have needed, and it has worked out well for fantasy managers as well. With Luka Dončić running the offense, Kessler should continue to be a fantasy star.

A favorite of many fantasy managers willing to punt free-throw percentage, Kessler didn’t miss a shot from the field or the foul line on Sunday. Add in the rebounds and blocks, and this was a nice end to the week for those rostering the 7-footer. Kessler, who’s averaging just under three blocks per game, has blocked at least three shots in three games.

Kessler has blocked at least five shots in two games this season and at least one in each of the Lakers’ six games. Add in the rebounds and field-goal percentage, and this was a good night for fantasy managers who are rostering the 7-footer. As long as Kessler can stay healthy, he should provide good value for those punting free-throw percentage. The Lakers end their week with a home game against the Raptors on Sunday.

Nights like Friday are what fantasy managers hoped for when Kessler made the move to Los Angeles in free agency. He dominated the Clippers, shooting efficiently and recording nine “stocks.” Kessler isn’t a great foul shooter, but fantasy managers usually punt that category when rostering him. He’ll look to finish Week 1 on a high note when the Lakers visit the Jazz, Kessler’s former team, on Sunday.

With the Warriors starting Draymond Green at center, Walker Kessler got whatever he wanted in the paint with plenty of wide-open dunks. His stat line is more about the Warriors than it is about Kessler, but Walker took advantage of the situation, and you’re feeling very happy about his performance.

Suiting up for the first time as a Laker, Kessler was able to produce at a high level in just 16 minutes. He was able to showcase his fantasy appeal, even with Luka Dončić getting a rest night. That pick-and-roll duo should be excellent for fantasy managers, and Kessler has a chance to finally cash in on the fantasy potential that he showcased during his first two seasons.

During Lakers media day, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said Kessler is “fully healthy and cleared” to resume all basketball activities. After undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last year, Kessler should enter training camp without restrictions and appears on track to be available for the start of the season. The 24-year-old center spent the first four years of his career with the Utah Jazz, and is expected to have a large role in Los Angeles.

The unprotected picks the Jazz will receive are in 2031 and 2033 and the pick swaps are in 2028 and 2030. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million extension with the Lakers. Los Angeles had been talking with Pistons center Jalen Duren about acquiring him in a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers took action here in completing the deal for Kessler. The 24-year-old center spent the first four years of his career with the Jazz, averaging 9.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. He’s the big winner from this trade from a fantasy perspective if he can stay healthy. The Lakers are now hard capped to the first apron and have no first-round picks to trade.

Two days after The Athletic reported that Kessler was frustrated with the Jazz front office as free agency approaches, more details emerged regarding the contract offered by Utah. According to MacMahon, Utah proposed an offer worth close to $140 million over five years. However, while this would be the most lucrative contract ever given to a center who had yet to make an All-Star team, there are still hard feelings between Kessler and the Jazz front office. In Monday’s report, Kessler not receiving an extension before the start of the 2025-26 season was cited as a factor, and it’s another issue the two sides will need to work through if they want to move forward as partners.

Kessler, limited to five games this season after suffering a shoulder injury, will be a restricted free agent on June 30. While the Jazz can match any offer sheet that Kessler agrees to, they can also negotiate with the center before he hits the open market. However, according to Amick’s reporting, Kessler is not pleased with the franchise essentially leveraging his pending restricted free agency against the 7-footer. As a result, he’s reportedly more willing to consider the idea of playing elsewhere. Given the need for rim protectors, there will be a market for Kessler at the end of the month. After not offering him an extension last fall, the Jazz seem content to see what Kessler’s price will be before deciding on his future with the franchise, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on large contracts. Wherever he plays next season, a healthy Kessler has top-50 fantasy potential, especially for those willing to punt free-throw percentage.

Kessler is set to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. This is a massive blow for the Jazz, who have started the season out better than expected, but it’s also unfortunate for Kessler since he didn’t get an extension this summer. Jusuf Nurkic has been starting in place of Kessler, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they turned to Kyle Filipowski as a long-term replacement, assuming they don’t explore the trade market.

Kessler, who missed time during the preseason with left shoulder bursitis, experienced a flare-up and was already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Hornets. With the Jazz sending him back to Salt Lake City for further testing, the 7-footer will miss at least three more games. Utah’s road trip ends in Minnesota on Friday. Jusuf Nurkić will start Sunday’s game against the Hornets and will likely retain that role for the remaining three games of the road trip.

Kessler is once again dealing with left shoulder bursitis, which sidelined him for a portion of the preseason. Jusuf Nurkić is a prime candidate to replace him in the starting lineup, but the veteran center’s streaming value will be limited with Lauri Markkanen on the court.

While Kessler did his usual work on the glass Friday night, his offensive production was underwhelming. He’s had two offensive duds, the first being a three-point effort against the Kings on October 24. The good news is that Kessler scored 18 or more in his other three outings, taking tangible steps forward on that end of the floor. He didn’t get the contract extension he wanted before the season began, but things could get expensive for the Jazz next summer if Kessler can build on his first five games.

Is Kessler going through a Brook Lopez-like transformation right before our eyes? Probably not, but the increased confidence in his perimeter shot has been great to see. On Wednesday, Kessler shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and is 6-of-8 on the season. In 2024-25, he shot 6-of-34 from deep and entered this season 11-of-56. Add in the points, rebounds, defensive stats and improved assists, and Kessler has been a top-15 player in nine-cat formats thus far. Will he remain there? Who knows. However, with the improved perimeter shot, his ceiling may be higher than many fantasy managers imagined.