Tim MacMahon’s Walker Kessler reason for pumping breaks on Lakers championship

As the Los Angeles Lakers eagerly anticipate the arrival of rookie center Walker Kessler, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon raises concerns about whether the seven-foot-two player can contribute to the team's championship aspirations in the 2026-27 season. Following the Lakers' signing of Kessler to a $130 million extension, the core of the team now includes All-Star Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

However, MacMahon, on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, insists that Kessler must significantly enhance his defensive skills to be a viable option for the Lakers in a highly competitive Western Conference. "Kessler has to be a much better screener than he had been in Utah," MacMahon stated. "That’s going to be awfully important.

He needs to focus on that aspect of the job and, ultimately, be a great defensive anchor." The current Los Angeles Lakers roster includes Doncic, Reaves, and potential additions from the Portland Blazers, featuring Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Ja Morant. However, MacMahon highlights the difficulty in predicting the Lakers’ standing in the Western Conference standings, given the presence of formidable teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets in the race for NBA Finals contention.