JJ Redick: Walker Kessler Providing Elite Rim Protection

When the Los Angeles Lakers paid a premium to acquire Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz over the summer, it was with an eye on improving a defensive unit that struggled with inconsistency last season.

So far, Kessler has been just as advertised and perhaps even more. Through 13 games, the seven-footer is averaging more than two blocks and nearly 11 rebounds in almost 31 minutes of action.

Kessler is also right up there with San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama in terms of rim points saved on the season.

“We shared this with the group the other day just to get a sense of how valuable he is to our defense in terms of, this is before last night so I don’t know what Wemby did against Golden State, I watched the game but I don’t know what he did in terms of rim points saved. But rim points saved going into yesterday’s game, Walker was second in the league and only a point behind Wemby. So you’re talking about one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. And that doesn’t always show up in blocked shots or steals. He’s doing a fantastic job for us,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick told Raj Chipalu of Lakers Today after Saturday’s practice.

Anytime a player is compared to Wembanyama on the defensive end, it’s a clear sign they are doing something right. And for the Lakers, they are reaping the benefits of having Kessler as their defensive anchor.

Walker Kessler wants to improve as decision-maker

It was initially believed that Kessler’s offensive role with the Lakers would be strictly as a finisher at the rim off the looks created by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. And while that has been the case, Kessler has recently shown off some passing skills with at least three assists in each of the last three games.

This is not a skill that many expected to see from Kessler, but it certainly helps to open things up for the Lakers’ offense as a whole. Kessler sees that as an area he can get better, along with making better decisions in general.

“I gotta do a lot better job I can tell you that,” Kessler said on Spectrum SportsNet after the Lakers’ victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. “I’m getting the ball stripped from me too much when I hold the ball low. There’s a lot of factors, but yeah, I gotta do a better job of that. But yeah, it’s kind of a game feel. If you feel like you can go up with it depending on who’s around you, if you pass it out. It just kinda depends.”