It seems Utah Jazz They could be in the market to sell one of their young pieces in a trade, and may have even had conversations about a deal earlier this summer.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, The Jazz have “discussed” a trade for 23-year-old center Walker Kessler with the The New York Knickswith the young big man potentially not part of Utah’s “long-term plan”:
“According to multiple sources, Utah has already discussed Walker Kessler in the context of a trade, notably with the New York Knicks, which has not yet been completed. He does not appear to be part of the team’s long-term plan.”
– Eric Picnus, Bleacher Report
Kessler, who was already named a finalist for Rookie of the Year in his first year in the league, is coming off a rocky sophomore campaign in Utah marked by injuries and inconsistency, which appears to have led the Jazz to look into what they could get on the trade market for him.
The Knicks are looking for a center ahead of the upcoming NBA season following Isaiah Hartenstein’s recent departure to the Oklahoma City Thunderand with Kessler’s prospects looking uncertain in Utah, a phone call or two may have been made to try to get his services on board.
Kessler’s 2023-24 campaign featured 64 games in which he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, numbers that bear an uncanny resemblance to his first year in Salt Lake City. The Auburn product didn’t make the jump from his sophomore year that many had hoped, but a strong third year with the Jazz could help solidify his roster status in the near future.
With talks stalling around Kessler and the Knicks, the Jazz big man could be entering a make-or-break year for his longevity on the roster. The extension window opens for him next summer, so we’ll likely need to see a bounce-back campaign to help him land that second contract in Utah.
Continue to keep an eye on Walker Kessler, as he appears to be one of the most intriguing pieces on the Jazz roster during the 2024-25 NBA season.
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