One Offseason Addition Will Revamp Lakers Perimeter Defense
Yesterday, the Los Angeles Lakers held their 2026-27 media day in El Segundo. This was our first opportunity to see the new iteration of the Lakers in Purple and Gold. As they head into training camp, there are a fair amount of questions surrounding this team; one of which is the Lakers’ perimeter defense.
When you have a backcourt made up of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, doubts regarding that team’s perimeter defense are rightfully called into discussion. Outside of those two, however, the Lakers had quite a bit of turnover this offseason.
Of every new signing, there’s one player specifically who is going to be transformative regarding the Lakers’ perimeter defense. It might not be who you think.
Walker Kessler Will be a Game Changer
You might be thinking, Walker Kessler is 7’2, I really hope he’s not playing out on the perimeter. You’d be right to feel that way. Bringing his tremendous shot-blocking ability out of the paint would simply be a waste.
It’s not what Kessler’s going to do on the perimeter, but what his skill set will allow others to do. When you have such a legitimate talent down low, it allows your guards and wings to play far more freely on the perimeter.
After Lakers media day, it seems like players are aware of this fact. Not just aware, but chomping at the bit to play aggressive, high-caliber defense.
Quentin Grimes said he wants to set the defensive tone on the perimeter along with Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Collin Secton.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 28, 2026
Jake LaRavia, who self-admittedly fell into a slump last season, was asked how he fits into a more aggressive defensive scheme with Kessler back there. He responded, “I love it. I’m a gambling man.”
Matisse Thybulle, who’s a ferocious perimeter defender, had some thoughts on Kessler as well.
He said, “For me personally, I’m really excited to play with Walker on the defensive end, just to have someone who can command the paint and protect the rim. It allows me to be more aggressive. And I think a lot of other guys who speak to that, as well as I hear, couldn’t all feel the same way. And so just to know that I get to go out there, play with some of the best players on the offensive end, and then also for myself, just feel like I can fully live up to my defensive potential because of having a rim protector like Walker is really exciting.”
Thybulle also noted he’s excited to play with Walker Kessler and have him on the backline defensively.
Kessler Knows What’s Coming
Lastly, the man himself chimed in today after practice with Mike Trudell. Kessler noted how excited he is to be the defensive anchor and was highly optimistic regarding LA’s defensive ceiling. Kessler predicted, “I think we’re going to be a nasty defensive team…we have a lot of defensive tools.”
He then added that he doesn’t think most people are really taking into account how good the Lakers’ perimeter defense can be.
Obviously, when you have Dončić and Reaves sharing the court, there are bound to be defensive lapses. Walker Kessler’s elite defensive talent will not only clean some of those up, but it sounds like it’ll also allow the rest of the team to fly around like maniacs. Something tells me JJ Redick is going to have some fun this season.
