There will be plenty of questions surrounding the Utah Jazz for the next few months. Most namely, who will stay and who will go when the trade deadline passes. The obvious candidates have been named, while one in particular remains ambiguous: Walker Kessler.
Kessler may have been floated in trade discussions during the offseason, but despite having a disappointing second season, it seemed bizarre that the Jazz would entertain that. It would be even more so if they do the same after how good of a start Kessler has had.
And yet, it appears Kessler still might be available in a trade. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus listed Kessler as a potential trade target. He even gave intel on what people around the NBA believe the Jazz will do with Kessler in a December 18 story.
"The Utah Jazz need to decide if they want to extend Kessler this summer or wait until restricted free agency in 2026—but many around the league believe they will cash him out ahead of the deadline."
Kessler has been mentioned in reports regarding who the Jazz could discuss, but this is the first report that indicates that the Jazz are willing to discuss him in a trade. However, another insider has reported something different.
Jake Fischer says Utah has turned down trade offers
Fischer reported on The Stein Line that the Kessler situation remains hard to understand, as the Jazz have rejected trade offers.
"Another hard-to-read big man situation: While Jazz center Walker Kessler has generated plenty of interest — he's another notable Lakers’ target, sources say — word is Utah has turned down multiple overtures for the former first-round selection."
This doesn't necessarily refute what Pincus wrote, but considering their reports, it sounds like Kessler might not be long for Utah after all. At the same time, unlike Jordan Clarkson or John Collins, they're not trying everything they can to get him off the team.
No one disagrees that a playoff contender like the Lakers could use someone like Kessler, but the Jazz have no reason to give him up, especially to LA, since they own the Lakers' draft pick in 2027. Even with other trade partners, it's hard to see what deal for Kessler would make sense for the Jazz.
Jazz players like Collin Sexton make sense when they're called an "ideal trade candidate" because he makes sense as a trade candidate regardless of whether the Jazz plan to follow through on that. It still doesn't make sense in Kessler's case unless the Jazz are looking for an upgrade.
And it would make even less sense if the Jazz are doing that since their tanking plans are going swimmingly.