There will be plenty of buzz about Walker Kessler this summer, but it would be truly surprising if he's not on the Utah Jazz's roster next season. There are two particular ways to get Kessler out of Utah, and for the record, it's not one or the other. They would have to go together for a team to pry him from the Jazz's grasp.
All the intel suggests the Jazz may not give Kessler what he wants, but they plan to keep him no matter the cost. They have the inside track, and it's a bit impenetrable, but here are two ways to do it.
1. It would have to be via sign-and-trade
The Jazz are under the cap, even after acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. took up a lot of it. Because of that, they can do a sign-and-trade, so they could do it with Kessler if they decide that it's in their best interest for the two sides to part ways.
It doesn't seem likely that this would happen because at this stage, Utah isn't interested in exchanging a valuable player like Kessler. It just seems counterproductive to throw away someone who is proven for future players who could be.
The Jazz will have some tough decisions to make in the future, but that will be years from now. Re-signing Kessler would seem much easier than trying to work out a sign-and-trade. That's why this second condition comes in handy.
2. Jazz would trade him for an upgrade
Utah is trying to win next season, no question about it. That's why it's in their best interest for them to keep Kessler because he is one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in the league. However, if an upgrade was on the table, then they would make an exception for Kessler.
Note that said upgrade would have to be either better at what Kessler does (that'd be rare) or impact winning more than Kessler would. Because trading Kessler would rip open some holes in Utah's roster, Utah would have to find someone who's better than Kessler while also making Utah harder to exploit.
That would be easier said than done. Because very few teams have cap space, it's difficult to figure out who would have that cap room. The Lakers do, but as often as his name has been floated with the Jazz, would Austin Reaves help that much if he came at the expense of Kessler?
It would be a Hail Mary for a team to get Kessler. It's certainly possible, but it's hard to see what deal would appeal to the Jazz.
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