It’s widely known in the NBA that the Utah Jazz are open to trading Walker Kessler.
They might also choose to keep him around long-term. However, if a more appealing, younger player emerged, Danny Ainge would likely not hesitate to trade Kessler in exchange.
Kessler was regarded as a highly coveted player during the draft two years ago, being passed over 21 times before he ended up in Utah. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting, behind future all-NBA talents Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams, and had a strong case for all-defensive recognition in his debut season.
His selection for the Team USA roster for the FIBA World Cup raised expectations, but after the American team failed to earn a medal, many fans criticized coach Steve Kerr for not utilizing Kessler sufficiently, especially when size was needed.
The Jazz managed to replace Rudy Gobert at a fraction of the cost while also acquiring four additional future first-round picks from Minnesota in the process.
Walker Kessler: A Solid Presence in the Paint
I have a high regard for Kessler. Shot-blocking centers are hard to come by, and Kessler fits that role well for the Jazz. Many NBA teams would appreciate having a reliable big man who can perform confidently. Even the Los Angeles Lakers recognize his potential. During last year’s playoffs, analyst J.J. Redick chose to keep all of the Lakers’ bigs on the bench when they had nothing to lose, highlighting the value placed on Kessler.
Though he excels at rebounding and has impressive defensive stats with 2.4 blocks per game, the desire for a bit more from his offensive game persists. His scoring per 36 minutes fell from 14.4 in his rookie season to 13.3 last year. While there have been attempts to expand his shooting range, it is uncertain if he will ever become a credible outside shooter.
The Lakers are reportedly interested in Kessler, but they’ve expressed hesitance due to high asking prices from Ainge last season, which included multiple first-round picks. This conclusion makes sense for both teams; the Jazz require more than a late first-round pick for a valuable defensive asset, while the Lakers may not want to expend significant assets on a player who might receive occasional second-team all-defensive votes.
Myles Turner as a Benchmark
A fitting comparison for Kessler is Myles Turner, who was rumored to be traded for a decade while with the Indiana Pacers. He eventually remained in Indiana until signing with Milwaukee this offseason, primarily because no trade offered sufficient value for the Pacers to part with their 2015 No. 11 pick.
While Turner was never considered the top big man in the league, his consistent performance earned him respect. Kessler might have a higher ceiling than Turner ever did, as evidenced by the hype surrounding him in the 2023 offseason.
The Future of Kessler with the Jazz
Kessler’s contribution doesn’t need to establish him as a top-five center for the Jazz to have a successful future; he simply needs to remain a solid player. The team’s future prospects may hinge on young talents like Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr., as well as potential high draft picks.
According to Jazz executives, Walker Kessler’s signability is a priority. They have flexibility in their roster as Lauri Markkanen is currently their only long-term veteran asset.
Retaining Kessler could offer better financial margins for the Jazz moving forward, as his contract is expected to be manageable. Unless a highly touted prospect becomes available, Kessler is likely to remain a key player for the Jazz in the coming years.
And that’s not a bad scenario.
