Lakers believe Walker Kessler is the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic

The Lakers didn’t just replace LeBron James. They built the roster they believe Luka Doncic needs.

That started with the blockbuster acquisition of center Walker Kessler, whom Los Angeles reportedly views as the ideal complement to its new franchise cornerstone.

According to the Los Angeles Times, league executives and scouts believe Kessler’s combination of rim protection, rebounding and lob-finishing makes him a nearly perfect fit alongside Doncic.

It’s easy to see why.

Kessler has averaged 2.4 blocked shots over his career and has developed into one of the NBA’s better rebounders. Before a shoulder injury cut short last season, he was coming off a campaign in which he averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds while leading the league in offensive boards.

Those are exactly the types of centers Doncic has thrived alongside throughout his career.

The Lakers paid a hefty price to get him, surrendering two future first-round picks and two pick swaps before signing Kessler to a reported four-year, $130 million contract.

But Los Angeles wasn’t finished.

The Lakers also added veteran forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, versatile wing Quentin Grimes and scoring guard Collin Sexton, giving themselves more depth around Doncic.

Mamukelashvili provides frontcourt versatility and floor spacing after shooting nearly 39 percent from three-point range last season. Grimes reunites with Doncic after previously playing with him in Dallas and gives the Lakers another athletic two-way wing. Sexton supplies instant offense and ballhandling off the bench after averaging 17.5 points following his move to Chicago last season.

In other words, the Lakers got younger in a hurry.

They’ve since traded Deandre Ayton to Washington, leaving Kessler firmly entrenched as the starting center while the front office continues searching for another veteran big man. Jonas Valanciunas, Kevon Looney and Andre Drummond were among the names linked to Los Angeles before Drummond ultimately signed with the Knicks.

The Lakers still have work to do.

But after an offseason that began with LeBron’s departure, they’ve made one thing clear:

The Luka Doncic era has officially begun.