# @sidelinesources on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdMtND4GFqU
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70435722-sidelinesources-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ff76be5668.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-12T19:11:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Sideline Sources (@sidelinesources) — https://gondola.cc/sidelinesources

## Caption

Walker Kessler’s defense is a bigger part of his game than the box score usually shows.

One of the best examples came against Nikola Jokić. Kessler has the size, length and mobility to actually make Jokić work for his touches without immediately giving up position. In their eight career matchups, Kessler has averaged 2.0 blocks per game, and Utah’s film from those games shows why his value goes beyond simply chasing blocks. That’s exactly what the Lakers are betting on.

Kessler is now in Los Angeles after averaging 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25, and his rim protection has consistently been his calling card. He’s an athletic 7-footer who can play high enough to challenge shots while still recovering back to the paint. 

And there’s an interesting connection with Luka Dončić. When Dallas paired Luka with a legitimate defensive center in 2024, everything changed. The Mavericks acquired Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline and already had Dereck Lively II, giving them a legitimate defensive presence behind their guards. Dallas went from being 22nd in defensive rating before the deadline to having the league’s best defensive rating from March 7 onward and eventually reached the NBA Finals. 

Kessler obviously isn’t Gafford or Lively, and the Lakers aren’t guaranteed to recreate that run.

But the idea is similar: give Luka a big who can protect the rim, clean up mistakes and make life harder for the other team’s best players.

If Kessler can consistently bring that level of defensive impact, especially against the Jokićs of the West, he could end up being one of the most important additions to Luka’s career yet.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
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## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sideline Sources | @sidelinesources | https://gondola.cc/sidelinesources | Sports Media Outlet |
| Evan Volkman | @EvanVolkman | https://gondola.cc/EvanVolkman | Graphic Designer |

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