Where is Walker Kessler, you might be asking. 

You know, the Lakers’ franchise center whom they emptied their cupboard to acquire, sending two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah, and signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal. 

Kessler has missed the Lakers’ first three preseason games after jamming his finger against the backboard during training camp, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick.

“It’s not concerning,” Redick said before the Lakers’ 114-110 exhibition win over the Kings on Thursday. “He’ll play in the preseason.”

Los Angeles Lakers player Walker Kessler (14) attends media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, September 28, 2026, in El Segundo, California. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Lakers have two exhibition games left. They play the Warriors on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Then they host the Nuggets on Friday at Crypto.com Arena.

Kessler only played in five games last season after suffering a torn labrum that required season-ending surgery. He’s an elite rebounder and rim protector who contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim in 2024-2025, tying him for fifth most in the NBA, according to NBA.com. 

While Kessler is yet to appear in purple and gold, Austin Reaves made his exhibition debut on Thursday. He finished with eight points, five rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 25 minutes. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 23 points in 25 minutes. 

But we have yet to see the Lakers’ Big 3 take the court together. 

Los Angeles Lakers’ Walker Kessler poses for pictures with NBA photographer Adam Pantozzi during media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

A handful of other players were sidelined for Thursday’s exhibition game, including Ziaire Williams (soreness), Arthur Kaluma (lower leg), Collin Sexton (lower leg), Cameron Carr (contusion) and Dalton Knecht (contusion). 

“Would love to get some news on some people in the next few days and be able to see what we look like at full strength, at least in one of these games, and just build that rhythm with each other,” Redick said. “I’m very confident we’ll have enough practice time over the next 13 days, 12 days, whatever it is, until we start.”

The Lakers host the Warriors in their regular-season opener on October 21.