Report: Walker Kessler is ‘not available’ in ‘realistic’ trade scenarios

Report: Walker Kessler is ‘not available’ in ‘realistic’ trade scenarios

Not long after reportedly being dangled in trade talks, Utah Jazz third-year center Walker Kessler may not be as available as he once was in trade talks ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, according to a recent report from Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Woike.

The 7-foot big had a down second season and was reportedly on the chopping block last offseason–even if the price was always going to be hefty dealing with Danny Ainge. Now, a “realistic” trade for Kessler won’t be attainable on the market, according to Woike.

“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,” Woike’s report read. “Utah electing to keep one of the NBA’s top rim protectors through the deadline.”

You could argue that his value has never been higher than it is right now. Kessler is averaging career highs in points (10.4), rebounds (11.3) and blocks (2.5), sporting a 71.6 effective field goal percentage and 70.0 percent true-shooting percentage. He also leads the NBA in offensive rebound percentage while placing fourth in total rebounding percentage, corralling over 20 percent of his available misses.

He’s also in a crowded frontcourt, although one could assume that John Collins could be moved ahead of the deadline. Lauri Markkanen just signed an extension and Drew Eubanks nor Kyle Filipowski aren’t quite where Utah needs from them to be starting bigs.

Most teams value their own more than others, and that could be the case here … and we’re talking about Danny Ainge here. His final negotiation for his best players will be 5 percent ownership stake, and if you say no, he’ll gladly hang up until his price point is met.

All of this ahead of the deadline remains fluid. If Utah receives a crazy offer, they will consider it. But will fit into a “realistic” trade scenario? That remains to be seen.

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