This just in: Walker Kessler is good. This also just in: the Utah Jazz know that better than anyone. Kessler's excellent third season has made what's been a tough watch all season all the more exciting.
Kessler's not the next Rudy Gobert, but he doesn't have to be to prove the Jazz can count on him from here on out. When Kessler's name comes up, people mainly talk about his presence as a rim protector, for a good reason.
Kessler averages 2.3 blocks a game, which tells some of the story, but not all of it. Jazz opponents shoot 53.9% around the rim when Kessler is defending, compared to 64.7% when he's not. It's also why opponents don't typically challenge him, as they only go at him at the rim 36.8% of the time, per NBA.com.
However, telling someone that Walker Kessler is a good rim protector is like telling them that Leonardo DiCaprio is a good actor. It's not exactly a hot take. However, something else about Kessler proves that he truly should be a staple of the Jazz's future.
A rare stat shows Kessler's offensive impact
The Jazz will likely never count on Kessler to be the one to take the last shot. He's never going to be someone who the Jazz will run an iso play for in the closing seconds. Pending any surprises, he'll never be a floor spacer unless that's something the Jazz demand he add to his game.
A betting man would believe that's not happening, but it doesn't matter, because Kessler has proven how much of a weapon he can be offensively even if he'll never be a one-on-one guy nor will he be a floor spacer.
Kessler has become one of the league's best offensive rebounders, averaging 4.6 a game. However, his impact in that regard also makes him one of the best in one particular area on offense.
Possessions Added leaderboard pic.twitter.com/6o1q7xaVRu
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This is how centers of the same mold as Kessler stay on the floor even when they don't bring any spacing. Kessler's presence on offense creates more offensive possessions for the Jazz, which makes him impactful on both sides of the floor.
Because of how good he is defending the rim and on the boards, there's a fair argument that Kessler is one of the best young bigs in the league. It's why any suggestion that the Jazz were going to trade him this season was laughable and why he's been one of the Jazz's best storylines this season.
It may only get better from here too, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, the Jazz will gladly accept not just how good Kessler is at what he's been good at this season, but what he's been dominant at.