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Walker Kessler: The Lakers' Riskiest Bet of the Off-Season

The Athletic's Dan Woike says Kessler must play like an All-Star to justify the Lakers' huge price, given his lack of high-stakes NBA experience.

Walker Kessler in a purple Utah jersey with mountain logo and LVT patch on chest

Walker Kessler, the Lakers' new starting centre, represents the club's biggest and riskiest bet of the off-season, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.

Los Angeles signed Kessler from Utah in July, giving up unprotected first-round picks for 2031 and 2033 along with pick-swap rights for 2028 and 2030. Kessler then signed a four-year, $129.5m contract with the club.

Woike argues the move was necessary, since passing on a long-term solution at centre risked frustrating Luka Doncic. But he identifies Kessler's lack of experience in high-stakes games as the central risk.

Woike wrote.

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