Multiple players on the Utah Jazz are available to acquire via trade. Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and John Collins all come to mind as their most likely trade candidates. However, one name that has popped up now and again is Walker Kessler.
Kessler was involved in trade rumors throughout the offseason, but nothing ever materialized. In fact, it sounded like a trade involving Kessler was never really close. That would indicate that the Jazz weren't trying to trade him as much as they were trying to gauge his trade market.
However, maybe what the Jazz wanted first was to see if Kessler's disappointing second season was only a speed bump in the hopes of seeing if his trade value would rise. His play this season would indicate that the beat from him is yet to come.
Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus revealed that the Jazz don't see Kessler as a long-term asset. However, the way he puts it, it sounds like his intel comes from a third-hand source.
"In context, the Jazz are focused more on development and the draft lottery than on winning. Sources familiar with the team's thinking suggest Kessler, who is extension-eligible this summer, isn't a long-term fit for its goals over the coming years."
This isn't the first time Pincus has relayed that the Jazz may try to trade him while his value is high. However, other insiders with connections in the NBA have said otherwise. Only time will tell how truthful all of this is.
The Jazz already have plenty of draft capital as it is. However, they may want to acquire to either stock up on young talent or use it in a potential blockbuster trade for a superstar down the line.
Kessler's trade availability is quite fascinating
Because of how well he's played this season, it seems a little farfetched that the Jazz would consider trading Kessler. However, there is a case to be made that his improvement would make him a valuable trade asset if the Jazz put him on the market.
If the Jazz are truly considering this, it's also an opportuntiy to trade away other players on long-term salary. At the same time, guys like Collins and Clarkson have played well enough that it shouldn't have to come to that.
Kessler is a productive player on a cheap rookie-scale contract, which primarily fuels why it's hard to believe they plan to trade him. The Jazz may believe Kessler won't get much better than he's played this season. However, they have the time and patience to see what his ceiling is.
If they don't think it's that high, then getting more draft capital for him would be justified, but only in the distant future.