Walker Kessler Anchors Los Angeles Lakers' New Defensive Identity

Walker Kessler joins the Los Angeles Lakers to serve as the team's primary defensive anchor and rim protector under head coach JJ Redick. Coming off a campaign where he averaged 2.4 blocks with a 9-foot-5 standing reach, Kessler addresses a critical vulnerability for the Lakers, who allowed opponents to shoot 72% at the rim last season. The team plans to funnel perimeter drivers toward Kessler, shifting away from their former one-through-five switching scheme.