Upon being monitored for his perceived availability in the league’s market, there is now a belief that Walker Kessler will be shelved by the Utah Jazz for any trade discussions.
Per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, the expectation across league circles is that the Jazz won’t deal Kessler away ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline despite interest from multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
“While teams have expressed interest in Utah center Walker Kessler — the Lakers included — the belief in NBA circles is that he’s not available in any realistic trade scenarios, Utah electing to keep one of the NBA’s top rim protectors through the deadline,” Woike wrote.
There were rumors from the past offseason that Utah intends to shop Kessler.
After experiencing a mediocre campaign in his second year in the NBA last 2023-24 upon averaging 8.1 points, 7.5 boards, and 2.4 blocks, speculations persist that the Jazz have made Kessler available for at least second-round picks.
But from what he is showing thus far this season, Kessler might have fully convinced the Jazz that he is a piece worth keeping.
In 28 games this 2024-25, Kessler is savoring the best season of his young career. He is tallying career-bests in points (10.4), rebounds (11.3), assists (1.7), and blocks (2.5) across 29.6 minutes. Besides, he is also highly efficient with 71.0 percent shooting from the field.
Although the Jazz remain one of the league’s cellar dwellers with a 9-25 record, they can only be optimistic about the bright future ahead with an improved Kessler serving as their primary anchor at the middle.
After making a splash to obtain the services of Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, the Lakers can only be disappointed that their window for Kessler has closed for now. As it’s been widely known that they are pursuing a big man to pair with Anthony Davis, Kessler would’ve been a perfect one as it’ll make their defense and interior presence even more formidable in their hunt for a championship.
As it is, several teams beyond the Lakers should also be dismayed as well for the sudden trade unavailability of Kessler. From the progress he has made this season, the 23-year-old big man would have been an interesting talent to add and look at for the next couple of years.
For that, the Lakers and other franchises have no choice but to go and find other available and logical candidates to fulfill their needs at the center spot.
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