The Los Angeles Lakers finally have their center. In an arguable overpay of a sign-and-trade that's certain to remain under the spotlight in future seasons, the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler and finally answered the question of who would anchor their interior.
Unfortunately, Kessler faces the same question that ultimately caused the Anthony Davis era to lack sustained momentum: Can he stay healthy?
Kessler, who will turn 25 at the end of the month, is one of the most promising young interior anchors in the NBA today. Unfortunately, he's also an injury-plagued player who appeared in just 58 games in 2024-25 and five in 2025-26.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, that didn't prevent the Lakers from sending out two first-round draft picks, another two pick swaps, and paying more than $32 million per season for Kessler.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
Kessler is a fantastic young player who can realistically become the player the Lakers have needed, but his injury history is difficult to overlook.
Walker Kessler must answer injury questions before he can anchor Lakers
Kessler's injuries haven't necessarily been of the nature that would suggest he'll be prone to more issues in the future. In 2025-26, for instance, he suffered a torn labrum that he underwent surgery for and can ideally now put behind him. One can proceed with the optimistic rationality that the procedure cleaned up the shoulder issues he had in previous seasons.
The harsh reality about the Lakers' decision to sign Kessler, however, is that they're basing their faith in his abilities on the 63 games he played between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
It's a harrowing callback to how the Lakers were unable to truly realize their potential during the Davis era. Davis missed 36 games in 2020-21, 42 in 2021-22, and 27 in 2022-23. Though there were seasons during which he stayed healthy, continuity was inevitably an issue.
With the Lakers giving up two first-round picks and a pair of pick swaps for Kessler, as well as considerable cap space, there's no way around how similar the risks are here.
Assuming Kessler can remain healthy, then the Lakers will likely be vindicated for gambling on his proficiency as a rim protector, offensive rebounder, and all-around interior anchor. He boasts career averages of 13.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.8 offensive rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per 36 minutes.
If Kessler can stay healthy, then this trade will have worked out in the end. Kessler simply comes with the same issue as Davis.
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