Many are keeping a close eye on how Walker Kessler's season-ending injury will affect contract negotiations with the Utah Jazz this summer. For the time being, the Jazz will cross that bridge when they come to it, or perhaps, if they come to it. Because even if Kessler won't play for the rest of the season, he still has enough trade value to attract plenty of suitors.
KSL Sports' Ben Anderson harped on this when discussing where things go from here with Kessler. He added that teams that plan to win in the future could pony up for the Jazz center.
"My first reaction to Kessler’s season-ending injury was that it would take him off the trade market for teams seeking a win-now piece. However, I overlooked another possibility — teams planning to win soon — but not this season — might still pursue him.
"Even though Kessler won’t play this year, his $4.8 million contract remains highly tradable. If he signs a multi-year deal worth over $100 million this summer, that flexibility disappears. So if the Jazz don’t see him as a future franchise cornerstone, now is the time to explore trade options — even if his value isn’t at its peak," Anderson wrote.
There are plenty of teams that would want a center like Kessler, regardless of whether he's a star in the making or not. Having the chance to not only get him when he wouldn't affect their salary cap much, but also potentially controlling how much they'll pay him long-term holds plenty of appeal.
The Jazz would only trade Kessler if the price is right
This is a legitimate option for the Jazz without question. However, don't get things mixed up. The only way Utah says yes to a Kessler trade is if they get an offer they can't refuse. They know that they have leverage in contract talks with him, just like they know how good he is.
For that reason, Utah should not trade Kessler if they get the chance just because they can but rather because they got a king's ransom for him. More than that, they are confident that getting rid of him won't come back to bite him. So, a lot of factors would go into a potential trade if it even happens.
There should still be a robust market for Kessler if the Jazz even make him available in the first place. Don't be surprised if trade rumors emerge as the season goes on. Whether or not they would actually go anywhere is anyone's guess, but don't be surprised if Utah at least hears a few teams out, regardless of how serious they would be about trading Kessler.