Effort was one of the most groan-enduing subjects for Los Angeles Lakers fans last season, and it all had to do with their starting center. Deandre Ayton wavered anywhere from dialed in and dependable to a bystander who was downright unplayable. You never really knew which version you would get.
That should no longer be an issue with Walker Kessler taking over the starting center spot in Los Angeles. The newly-arrived big man is a lot of things that Ayton never was. One of the main components of that is being a player who is relentless in his competitive drive.
Collin Sexton spent three seasons together with Kessler when both were members of the Utah Jazz from 2022 through 2025. When speaking to the media for the first time since signing with the Lakers, Sexton gave his old running mate a glowing review when it came to his will to compete.
"I would say his mindset and being able to come in and give it his all each and every night. He's one of those people that's very competitive. I feel like the culture here is trying to bring good guys in who are ready to compete each and every night and give it their all."
Lakers will not be lacking in the effort department with Walker Kessler
Ayton's lackadaisical nights were the stuff of nightmares for Lakers fans last season. It was not just the fanbase who were feeling the exhaust from those effort issues. It sure did look like the members of the team in Los Angeles were going through it, too.
LeBron gave Ayton the “you about to get traded” stare 😭😂pic.twitter.com/Qf2mVLhUkl
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) January 13, 2026
JJ Redick is well-known as a very animated figure on the sidelines of all Lakers games. The player turned head coach wears his emotions on his sleeve and rarely holds anything back.
One of the most defining visuals of the 2025-26 campaign was Redick taking his starting center out of a playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. In that moment, passionate lip readers estimated the Lakers head coach voiced his frustrations about how unplayable Ayton was.
That should not be the experience with Kessler. The new Lakers center has alraedy been sharing his excitement about doing the simple but necessary jobs beside Luka Doncic like setting screens, positioning himself for scoring opportunities, and playing defense on the other end.
That is the type of guy the Lakers were begging for Ayton to be last season. The job of playing center never had to be difficult around Doncic. Their former starter made it look that way. Kessler should offer a fresh breath of air, and success, where his predecessor failed.
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