A team that can control the glass can control the game. 8 of the top 10 rebounding teams from 2025-26 were at least in a Play-In spot when the season came to an end. That group even included the 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks.
Where were the Los Angeles Lakers in that category? Struggling.
During the regular season, the Lakers ranked 27th in the NBA when it came to rebounds per game (41.0). The 2026 NBA Playoffs saw them toward the bottom of the 16 playoffs teams, too, ranking 13th with 39.4 rebounds per game. Boy oh boy will it be nice to welcome Walker Kessler.
The former Utah Jazz center has been more than an effective rebounder throughout his NBA career. By the per-36 numbers, Kessler averages 13.2 rebounds per game by himself. That even includes the added bonus of being a strong presence on the offensive glass. That kind of ability to gobble up boards will serve the Lakers well in 2026-27, and they already know it.
Walker Kessler's rebounding will help transform the Lakers
Kessler has talked about wanting to do the dirty work around Luka Doncic from his first opportunity to speak with the media. That includes rebounding. A Lakers front office executive who met with Keith Smith at summer league highlighted just how transformative the new starting center can be.
"Walker can protect the rim and rebound. Those two things not only help our defense, but it can help trigger our offense too. Last year, we had to gang rebound a lot. This year, Walker should help get the ball and get us out and running."
Last year's starter in the middle, Deandre Ayton, was anywhere between serviceable and downright frustrating as a rebounder. The type of reliability that Kessler offers in that department is a night and day upgrade.
To the point of what was said by the Lakers exec, having their new big man controlling the interior with his rebounding sprinkles to every part of the court. The other players in Los Angeles can get a little greedy, in the best type of way, leaking out to start the offense with the added comfort that Kessler is a safe bet to eat up the board. That could make an already potent attack even stronger.
Kessler can even create extra opportunities on the offensive end with his aggressive positioning and work ethic down low. The highly-paid center should quickly prove worth every penny on both sides of the court.
Gone are the old days of fighting hard to secure boards with the great unknown of Ayton's effort. Lakers players can rest easy knowing Kessler will be a great stabilizing force on the glass.
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