The Los Angeles Lakers' decision to pay up, both from an asset and draft pick standpoint, for the services of Walker Kessler keeps getting more justified at every turn. The latest example of that has to do with how Aday Mara is performing with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Simply put: If Mara can replicate in the regular season anything similar to what he has done in the preseason, the value of having a stout big man down low has skyrocketed for every team in the NBA, and especially the Western Conference. The Lakers were without one before Kessler's arrival.
The production has looked really good for Mara thus far. The Thunder center posted 12 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in his first game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He followed that up with 22 points, six rebounds, and one block versus the Milwaukee Bucks. That has been capped with his latest offering of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks against the Atlanta Hawks.
This is all preseason, to be fair. Producing now does not necessarily equate to regular season success. That is why today's headline is hinged on if. If Mara can take that early success in the tune-up games and carry it over, though, then Kessler is going to be worth his weight in gold.
Immediate impact from Aday Mara would make Walker Kessler even more crucial
The Thunder are already a lot to handle with Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren up front. Having Mara hit the ground running would make their big man rotation one of the most pesky to deal with across the entire NBA. That is exactly what Sam Presti will be hoping for.
Nabbing Mara in the 2026 NBA Draft required the usage of a lottery pick after all. That is a healthy investment to make. At this time, it is definitely one they feel good about.
Kessler will have his hands full with all of Hartenstein, Holmgren, and Mara. Thankfully for the Lakers, their new center is both an elite rebounder and a top of the line shot-blocker. That is a must against a group like the Thunder have.
The quiet concern for the Lakers is how they manage the non-Kessler minutes. Kevon Looney is going to be used in small doses, given his age. Sandro Mamukelashvili will help spread the Thunder out with his ability to stretch the floor, but he could struggle to hold up down low.
Lacking the proper depth behind Kessler only raises his importance and value to the Lakers. There should be no surprise if the matchups against the Thunder are ones in which JJ Redick opts to play his starting center more than his usual allotted minutes.
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