In the latest Stein Line, Jake Fischer talked about the contract negotiations between the Utah Jazz and Walker Kessler.
Here’s what Fischer had to say about a potential Kessler trade:
The Jazz and Walker Kessler, meanwhile, have no current momentum on an
extension, sources say. Kessler is expected to enter restricted free agency
next summer (as first reported by The Athletic’s Tony Jones) while the Jazz
decide in coming months whether to act upon the ongoing trade interest they
are sure to receive in the 24-year-old center.
We’ve written extensively about the Lakers’ past trade interest in Kessler and
I’m told Phoenix also weighed an approach for Kessler in the summer before
the Suns went forward with their draft-night trade to acquire Williams from
Charlotte.
This may be a whole lot of nothing. If the Jazz are simply waiting till restricted free agency to make this happen, then that’s all this is. That said, we know now that Kessler was asking for a lot. If the Jazz simply don’t want to pay that, it makes this seem more likely. If there’s one thing you hope the Jazz have learned these last three years, it’s that it’s better to make these decisions sooner rather than later. If there’s an offer you like for Kessler, make it now instead of later. The likes of Amen Thompson could very well be on this team if the Jazz had shown even an inkling of forward thinking during those two seasons. Utah lucked out somewhat because it looks like Taylor Hendricks is becoming a nice rotation player. The same can’t be said for Cody Williams … so far.
On top of that, it looks like interest from the Suns is there. Utah has Kessler on a smaller contract, so a trade possibility is there. Personally, I’m a fan of Khaman Maluach with his potential to stretch the floor and also protect the rim. You wonder if maybe the Suns would be willing to do a trade straight up with him? Or would Utah? We’ll find out, but if there’s a team out there with a move that makes sense, the Jazz should jump on it.
Fischer also goes into the Lauri Markkanen trade situation. Here’s what he had to say:
Elsewhere in Utah: After my former Sports Illustrated colleague Chris Mannix described Lauri Markkanen as available for trade earlier this week, we naturally checked in with some league insiders familiar with that situation.
Don’t think anyone is suggesting that the Jazz are shopping Markkanen … but listening? Or willing to listen? Sure.
That was Utah’s same posture for much of the 2024 offseason until Markkanen signed a massive new contract extension on Aug. 7, 2024, which was specifically timed – after robust trade interest from Golden State was well as inquiries from Sacramento – to ensure that he could not be traded during the 2024-25 season.
But that restriction has been lifted and the Jazz are still in a rebuilding mode.
So the phone is bound to ring with proposals for their All-Star forward. Again, though, it has been stressed to me that the Jazz are not looking to move the 7-footer. Markkanen is still in his prime at 28, just had a strong EuroBasket for Finland and has made no secret of his fondness for Salt Lake City, where he made his All-Star breakthrough during hte 2023-24 season. It was not lost on the Jazz that Markkanen delayed signing his extension in August 2024 until the first day he could ensure that he would not be trade eligible until after the 2024-25 campaign.
If there is any trade situation to monitor at present in Utah, it’s the future of veteran forward Kevin Love. The Jazz allotted a healthy 20 minutes of playing time to the 37-year-old in Wednesday’s exhibition loss to Houston. As with the Knicks starting Pacome Dadiet in their first exhibition game of the new season in Abu Dhabi, Love’s playing time led several rival teams to wonder if the Jazz were already showcasing him for potential suitors before the regular season even starts.
There’s a lot there, but here’s a bit of a translation. The Jazz like Markkanen, but are willing to listen to offers. They also like that he liked Utah. (Also, you can trade for Kevin Love if you want.)
It’s great that Markkanen likes Utah, but he’s not the only player who has been okay living here. To me, that’s not the best reason to keep a player or give them mass money. Personally, I would give the max to players who could lead the Jazz to a championship. Someone that you draft that has incredible upside and potential, like Ace Bailey.
Yes, the Jazz could keep Markkanen, but looking at what we saw in Game 1 of preseason from Taylor Hendricks and Ace Bailey, the Jazz would be smart to focus on those players and the pick they make in the upcoming draft. And that might be the plan. Andy Larsen had this to say on the most recent NBA daily podcast.
Now, that may be just his own prediction based on observation of the current Jazz situation. It could also be an educated guess. Either way, it’s worth mentioning.
All this points to a lot of possibilities to trade both Markkanen and Kessler, but it feels like everything is based on the offers that could potentially be given and if Utah feels like they are worth doing.
It was clear that the trade rumors were going to heat up, and it’s already happening. We’ll continue to follow each one as they come.
