Overview
- JJ Redick confirmed that Walker Kessler will be available to play in the Lakers’ preseason game on Tuesday night, giving the team a first live look at its new starting center.
- Kessler missed the first three preseason games after jamming his left pinky in training camp and has returned to full practice before his debut.
- The team acquired Kessler this offseason to be its defensive anchor and he described his role as the ‘linebacker’ of the defense, a role meant to allow wings and guards to gamble more on perimeter defense.
- Los Angeles has been using Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili for center minutes while Kessler recovered, and reporters note active trade speculation for low‑cost backup bigs such as Jalen Smith and Day’Ron Sharpe as contingency depth.
- Tuesday’s matchup also creates an early test because Golden State left Al Horford home for load management, and coaches say they will monitor Kessler’s minutes and how his presence changes the Lakers’ defensive schemes after a small preseason sample showed improved perimeter defense without him.