Lakers' Walker Kessler Talks Preseason Debut After Blockbuster Trade from Jazz, 'Pretty Nervous'

It may have just been an NBA preseason game, but Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler was a little anxious as he donned purple and gold for the first time.

Tuesday's 101-89 defeat to the Golden State Warriors was not just Kessler's Lakers debut but his first action of any kind in nearly a year.

"I mean, it was a lot of fun being out there again. It's been so long," he said, per The Athletic's Dan Woike . "Before the game, I was actually pretty nervous, to be honest. But getting out there and just playing with the guys, it was a blast. I can't really, you know speak to … I think I have a certain presence on the floor, but I think my teammates around me did a great job of playing defense on the perimeter. I think we shared the ball really well tonight. Just how it was, especially in the first half. It was a lot of fun."

Kessler started and played 16 minutes, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds and one block. The Lakers were plus-15 with him on the floor.

His performance exemplified why Los Angeles paid such a steep price to acquire him in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. He was effective around the basket on offense and protected the rim at the other end.

"The word I've used with him, you know, the challenge is just being relentless, just in terms of the motor on both ends," head coach JJ Redick said. "Playing off Luka and AR, you know he's going to have opportunities to playmake in the pocket. That's just the nature of how teams guard those two guys. His stats are going to naturally come just from playing hard."

Aside from simply staying healthy, there's little Kessler can do to assuage the concerns about his durability. In terms of his on-court fit with Los Angeles, the early returns are encouraging.

The Lakers close out the preseason on Friday against the Denver Nuggets. They'll tip off the regular season against the Warriors on Oct. 21.