2. Walker Kessler
The Jazz fleeced the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Rudy Gobert trade. Even as it was happening, it was obvious that Ainge and the front office got the better of a desperate Minnesota franchise. What wasn’t obvious, though, was how good Walker Kessler was going to be.
Kessler was drafted by Memphis, then traded to Minnesota, before finally being sent over to Utah as a prospect. Fast forward only a few months later, and Utah wouldn’t trade Kessler for Gobert straight up. Kessler quickly found a role as one of the best rim protectors in the league. Finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting, even receiving two first-place votes.
Standing at over seven feet tall and only 21 years old, the potential is boundless. Rookies very rarely make an impact in their first year; Kessler did that and then some. Offensively, he found efficiency, shooting 72.3 percent on two-pointers and 75.3 percent at the rim on 8.2 attempts per 75 possessions (DunksandThrees.com).
He’s doing all the things that a good big should do with only one year of experience. Between him and Markkanen, Utah has its front court established for the forseeable future and could arguably be considered one of the best young front courts in the league.