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'Championship team': Walker Kessler drops first thoughts on training with Lakers led by Luka Doncic

Nairavoice · Oct 5, 2026 · 3 min read

‘Championship team’: Walker Kessler drops first thoughts on training with Lakers led by Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Moving to a new system usually brings growing pains and uncomfortable adjustments. Walker Kessler is bound to feel this in some way in Coach JJ Redick’s system. After spending his whole career with the Utah Jazz, the big man will now help Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The struggles obviously haven’t arrived yet, but they seem unlikely to be much of a problem after their Slovenia NBA training camps.

Kessler unveils first thoughts of being with Lakers led by Doncic and Reaves

The Lakers’ goal is always to contend for an NBA championship. This has become even more important after the Boston Celtics tied for the most all-time franchise championships. But this required some sacrifices. They had to trade away key players while also seeing LeBron James walk in free agency. Coach JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka then went all in, acquiring talents that complement Luka Doncic. Walker Kessler was the centerpiece in the middle.

The former Jazz big man is expected to rebound all the shots that Doncic and Austin Reaves miss. More than that, Coach Redick also expects him to be a great defensive anchor who can also execute well on drop coverage. All of these demands tend to take a toll on a player, especially when they are new to the Lakers system. Kessler doesn’t seem to feel the same way, via Dan Woike of The Athletic.

“I mean, I know a lot of guys have been saying this, but being with those guys for this kind of summer stretch starting with Slovenia … they’re unbelievable guys. The character’s so high. They just want to work. They want to compete, want to get better, and I think that’s what makes up — or part of what makes up — a championship team. I’m so excited to meet these guys, and it’s going to be a fun year,” the Lakers center declared.

This training camp in Slovenia seems pivotal in building team chemistry in Coach Redick’s Lakers system. Everyone got to know their roles better and how they can positively impact winning.

Why are all of these important? See, for the first time, the Lakers will have no one from their 2020 NBA championship-winning core in their lineup because of James’ departure. This means the team is now fully Doncic’s, with Reaves and Kessler as his running mates. They are crafting a new culture that can hopefully snag a Larry O’Brien trophy in the next three years.

Walker Kessler is the biggest reason the Lakers have a top-10 defensive ceiling. He’s arguably the NBA’s best rim protector. If he shows more mobility on the perimeter this season he has a real chance to win DPOY. https://t.co/VZmcCGCOIO

— Daily Baller Report (@Baller_Report) October 2, 2026

There’s also a lot of pressure that comes with being part of a long history of Lakers centers. Kessler will undoubtedly be compared to Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, and Anthony Davis. Hopefully, the team chemistry insulates him from outside noise.

It’s going to be a long ride for Kessler in the Lakers system. Will he be the next legendary big man to don the Purple and Gold?