EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Walker Kessler, the Los Angeles Lakers' biggest offseason acquisition both literally and figuratively, is closing in on making his preseason debut with his new franchise.
Kessler was a full participant in practice Sunday for the first time since the first two days of training camp, when he jammed his left pinkie finger on the backboard while attempting to block a shot.
The 7-foot-2, 245-pound center said he has been limited by the pinkie for "precautionary" reasons. L.A. acquired Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz in July by sending out two future unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps on top of signing him to a four-year, $130 million contract
"It feels good," Kessler said after showing reporters the black tape wrapped around his injured digit. "Fully went today in practice, felt great."
The Lakers have gone 2-1 in the preseason without the big man and have two preseason games remaining: Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas and Friday at home against the Denver Nuggets.
Kessler, who missed all but five games for the Jazz in 2025-26 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in November, said he is itching to take the court for the Lakers.
"I think it would be a little different if I played last season, but because I didn't play last season, I'm like, 'Ah, I want to play really bad,'" Kessler said. "I'm ready to play, but I trust the staff and I trust the trainers, the coaches and front office, you know? So yeah, just listening to them right now."
Lakers coach JJ Redick was not ready to say if Kessler would play Tuesday against the Warriors.
"A lot can happen in 48 hours," Redick said. "We'll be smart with it. See how he feels [Monday]. But not willing to commit to him playing Tuesday or not. He'll get some live play at some point this week."
The right-handed Kessler spent time after practice shooting free throws and jump hooks around the basket.
While he has been a competent offensive player in his four seasons in the league -- averaging 9.5 points on 68.1% shooting from the field -- he was brought in to bolster a Lakers defense that finished No. 19 in defensive rating last season out of 30 teams.
Kessler said he noticed the Lakers' defensive effort in the time he has been out.
"I mean it's frustrating, but it's also a really positive to see how well they've done defensively without me out there," he said. "Our wing defenders ... Matisse [Thybulle] and Ziaire [Williams] and Q [Quentin Grimes] and even Jake [LaRavia] are just great on-ball defenders. And I mean Luka [Doncic] and AR [Austin Reaves] are great off-ball, very smart players."
Redick said that given the training camp injuries to Kessler, Williams (left foot contusion) and Collin Sexton (right lower leg issue), he still has not finalized his preferred starting lineup for opening night against the Warriors in 10 days.
"I would say we've certainly seen glimpses of the things we like," Redick said. "It's hard because we've just been a little disjointed with the guys being banged up, so there's nothing definitive yet."
Reaves, one of the three starters Redick has already named along with Doncic and Kessler, said he is not worried about his coach still evaluating the team's options.
"I show up and play regardless," Reaves said. "I think we have a lot of guys that could start ... Regardless of who we roll out there, we have high confidence in [them]."