Walker Kessler Faces Immense Pressure as Lakers' Center of Future

Walker Kessler enters a high-stakes season with the Los Angeles Lakers after being acquired as their center of the future. Tasked with anchoring the defense and establishing pick-and-roll chemistry with Luka Dončić, Kessler carries immense pressure following a lucrative new contract and the expenditure of draft capital. While his elite shot-blocking and rebounding provide a crucial floor, injuries limited him to five games last season, making his health pivotal to Los Angeles' contender status.