Kessler Chases Lobs, Reaves Exhales, and the Locker Room…

By the Lakers Nightly Desk · Monday, September 28

Media day arrived this week, and the beat filled a notebook fast: a shot-blocker measuring the lobs coming his way, a $41.2 million wing exhaling after a tense summer, and a locker room where the outside noise is turning into belief. Luka Doncic sat in the middle of all three storylines, same as he'll sit in the middle of the offense once games start counting.

Luka Doncic of the Lakers — Luka Doncic. Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Lob Line

Walker Kessler told Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford he's already picturing lobs from Luka Doncic, and Doncic told Silver Screen and Roll's Jackson Frank he really wanted the center in the deal. The excitement carries a caveat: Kessler played just 5 games last season, finishing at 14.4 points, 10.8 boards and a 75.0 percent clip from three in that stretch. Pelinka told Lakers Nation's Matthew Valento he's confident in Kessler's health and the center depth behind him, confidence now riding on a $30.2 million contract.

Reaves Exhales

Austin Reaves called himself happy to be back after what he told Silver Screen and Roll's Jackson Frank was a weird contract negotiation, and Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford reported he's spent camp focused on getting his body ready for the year ahead. The negotiation ended at $41.2 million, the second-biggest number on the books behind Doncic's. Last season Reaves averaged 23.3 points on 36.0 percent shooting from three across 51 games, the production the front office is paying for now that the summer talk is over.

The Believers

Draymond Green publicly defended Bronny James against critics, Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford reported, a notable outside voice as the 21-year-old enters his second season. Inside the building, the belief runs the same direction: Quentin Grimes told Silver Screen and Roll's Jackson Frank he thinks this group can shock people this season, and Lakers Nation's Ron Gutterman wrote that both Pelinka and Redick are embracing the championship expectations attached to a roster built around Doncic and Reaves. That belief still has to survive the floor, starting with the preseason opener at Sacramento on October 5.

Is Walker Kessler expected to be healthy for the Lakers this season?

Pelinka told Lakers Nation he is confident in Kessler's health and the center depth around him, even though Kessler played only 5 games last season.

How many players are on the Lakers' roster right now?

23, after William Kyle and Cole Swider signed with the team on September 28.

By the Lakers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.