9.5 points per game is the career average for Walker Kessler. For five games last season with the Utah Jazz, Kessler looked on track to blow past that metric, but his season was cut short. 2026-27 should reset the standard for him, and his offensive rebounding will be a key part of that.
Everyone knows Kessler is a glass eater. His per-36 numbers have him at 13.2 rebounds per game for his career. Using those same qualifications, the new Los Angeles Lakers center has averaged 4.8 of those boards on the offensive end. That figure was even higher, at 5.5 per game, over his last two campaigns.
Former Jazz writer Tony Jones stated on Buha's Block: "He's an insane-level offensive rebounder. There are going to be a lot of times where Austin [Reaves] and Luka [Doncic] drive the paint and they miss a bunny. ... They're going to turn into dunks for Walker Kessler."
It was emphasized by Jones that Kessler will be a notable upgrade here over last year's tandem of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. There are several reasons why anticipating the new Lakers big to set a career-high scoring average in 2026-27 is a safe bet. Count this clearly among them.
Walker Kessler's offensive rebounding will add to his coming scoring breakout
The Lakers guards should already be positioned to help Kessler live up to that All-Star-like price tag of his new deal. Reaves and Doncic are savvy pick-and-roll partners. Collin Sexton is familiar with him from their Jazz days, too. The standard and designed sets will be there for the 25-year-old center.
Basketball is never just structure and order. There are plenty of elements and moments that turn the game into contained chaos. One of those times is absolutely when a shot is going up and everyone is scrambling to react.
In those instances, Kessler has proven adept at maneuvering for positioning and finding opportunity. Given how much attention Doncic and Reaves are expected to draw, there should be plenty of occurrences where the former first-round pick is left woefully unattended relative to the defensive focus his offensive rebounding should demand.
It will be a healthy boost for the Lakers. They ranked 28th in the NBA last season in the second chance points department with only 12.8 per game.
Increasing your scoring output does not always need to be as complicated as developing a whole new back to the basket game or otherwise. Sometimes it can be as simple as doing the dirty work and earning the opportunities that way. Kessler should prove that much in the upcoming campaign.
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