​The Los Angeles Lakers are counting on Walker Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center they recently traded for, to shore up a defense that was 20th in defensive rating and 2nd in blocks this past season. He is one of the NBA’s best rebounders, shot-blockers and rim-protecters, and the team has needed an upgrade at the 5 in those categories over the last few years.He had his first media availability as a member of the Lakers on Monday, and he said that with all the team invested in him, he’s ready to give it everything he has for the Purple and Gold.”It definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,” Kessler said. “With what they have invested, they’re showing that belief, in a monetary value. Not just with money, but in [draft] assets. For me, I’m somebody that, if I know they have that belief in me, I’m going to run through a brick wall for them. That’s how I’ve been wired my whole life.”Los Angeles sent the Utah Jazz two future first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps in a sign-and-trade to acquire Kessler. He then signed a four-year, $130 million deal with Los Angeles, and while plenty feel it overpaid for him, he has the ability to justify that price tag.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKessler played in just five games this past season before a left shoulder injury that required surgery ended his year. It was an injury he initially sustained back in college, but he says he’s fully healthy now.”It’s great,” Kessler said of his surgically repaired shoulder. “Feels better than it’s ever felt in my life. It’s been cleared. Feels strong, feels mobile. Yeah, feels great.”The 24-year-old has averaged 9.5 points on 68.1% field-goal shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes a game over his four seasons in the NBA. He showed early signs of developing a reliable 3-point shot last season before shoulder surgery shut him down, and he said on Monday that it is something he discussed with Lakers coach JJ Redick.After being relatively weak in the middle ever since trading away superstar big man Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in February 2025, the Purple and Gold will have a legitimate backbone at the 5 in Kessler.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Walker Kessler is healthy, is impressed with Lakers’ belief in him