Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler has vaulted 25 spots to No. 73 in ESPN's annual NBA Rank. The ranking reflects the team's significant offseason investment and belief in Kessler's potential as a defensive anchor alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. This news follows a strong 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on May 2, 2026, as the Lakers hold a recent form of three wins and two losses in their last five games.
Kessler's jump from No. 98 to No. 73 is directly tied to his projected fit with the Lakers' star duo. ESPN's panel sees his rim protection as a perfect complement to Luka Doncic's playmaking. Despite playing only five games last season due to a torn labrum, the Lakers traded two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033) and two pick swaps to acquire him from the Utah Jazz. They then signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $130 million contract. His career average of 2.4 blocks per game is the second-highest mark in the NBA since he entered the league in 2022-23, trailing only Victor Wembanyama.
Defensively, Kessler is arguably the league's third-best rim protector behind Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. His presence in the paint is a big change. Offensively, his role will evolve. In his last full season (2024-25), he averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks on 66.3% shooting over 58 games. Playing next to Doncic and Reaves, instead of a rebuilding Jazz team, should create more scoring opportunities. He is projected to average around 11.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this season. Kessler's health is the other major factor. He must prove his limited games played were due to Utah's situation, not a durability issue.
The extended time off last season gave Kessler a renewed perspective. "Sitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective," Kessler said. "The heart grows fond in absence. I think falling in love with this game again and just realizing I just want to go win." This mindset aligns with the Lakers' immediate goals. The team's recent results against Houston, including wins on April 19 (107-98), April 22 (101-94), and April 25 (108-112), show they can compete. But losses on April 27 (115-96) and April 30 (93-99) highlight the need for consistency, especially on defense.
The Lakers' ceiling in the Western Conference will be heavily influenced by Kessler's impact. His ability to protect the rim and finish lobs from Doncic could transform the team's identity. Integrating him fully into the rotation is the next step. Fans can track his progress and the team's upcoming schedule on our schedule page. His development from a talented defender to a complete two-way player is the central storyline for this Lakers season. If he stays healthy and meshes with the core, that ESPN ranking could climb even higher by next year.
