If anyone was going to be a huge believer in the Los Angeles Lakers' big-time investment in Walker Kessler, it would be a guy who has spent multiple seasons with him already. Collin Sexton knows what the new Lakers center is all about from their time together on the Utah Jazz. The veteran guard ensured everyone understood just how much faith their was in Kessler living up to the hype.
Sexton told Mason & Ireland: "He's gonna have a huge impact, especially on the defensive end. His presence, his rim protection, and even just his offensive ability that he's been working on this summer — I'm so super excited for him."
The former Jazz guard praised the work Kessler has put in with trying to add a 3-point shot to his offensive repertoire. Sexton did mention the growth on offense should go beyond that too. The Lakers vet said his big man has aimed to improve his play finishing down low as well.
That is an encouraging thing to hear considering that Kessler already thrives in that department. The former Jazz center shot 68.1 percent from the field during his time in Utah. That included 77.7 percent at zero to three feet over those four years.
Sexton is already sold on what Kessler can do in Los Angeles. The hope from here is that anyone who is on the side of being a skeptic can quickly turn into a fan similar to that of Collin.
Lakers will need Walker Kessler to win everyone over like he has with Collin Sexton
Kessler arrived in Los Angeles to the crticism of being an overpay on multiple fronts.
Some folks did not love the fact of the Lakers spending more financial salary on him than any team previously had on a non-All-Star center in NBA history. Others critcized Los Angeles for forking over multiple unprotected picks and pick swaps to the Jazz in the sign-and-trade.
Those who have been around Kessler, like Sexton, have praised him abundantly by contrast. Former Jazz writer Tony Jones has also been unshy about projecting the positives that can come from the new Lakers big.
Jones thought Kessler could have the type of impact that Rudy Gobert has. It was a bold claim, but one those who want to find faith in Walker can get behind.
Kessler has clearly been a talented player throughout his NBA career, but the Jazz never really gave him the opportunity to truly showcase the ways he can positively boost a winning team. They were all about the losing during the years he was there. That made it tough for him to shine.
Sexton, who had up close and personal experience with him over those years, is convinced of his teammate's incoming impact. Perhaps the rest of the NBA world will catch up to that idea this season.
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