The New York Knicks have been looking for a center for some time and have looked everywhere to find a big man, without much success.
According to Bleacher Report contributor Eric Pincus, the Knicks have discussed a potential trade with the Utah Jazz for third-year center Walker Kessler.
“According to multiple sources, Utah has previously discussed Kessler in a trade, including a stalled conversation with the New York Knicks,” Pincus writes“He doesn’t seem to be part of the team’s long-term plan.”
Kessler, 23, averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his second NBA season with the Jazz, numbers similar to those posted by Isaiah Hartenstein last season.
Kessler is a perfectly logical target for the Knicks and would fill a lot of the holes Hartenstein has now left vacant after signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
However, it appears the Jazz were not interested in bringing Kessler back at that point.
Perhaps as the season goes on, the Jazz will look at players the Knicks would be willing to give up. Perhaps the Knicks’ need for a center will intensify with an injury or two, or Kessler’s value could diminish because of his play.
A lot can change once the season starts, which is why it’s riskier to make a deal like this. It’s possible the Jazz and Knicks revisit discussions around Kessler between now and training camp, but there’s a good chance both sides will stay where they are for now.
The Knicks could hope things could change during the regular season and possibly call up Danny Ainge to see if the Jazz want to reopen the conversation.
