Once the New York Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns, any potential trade talks with the Utah Jazz were pretty much over. While the Towns trade has its own unique indirect implications for the Jazz, it leaves much to the imagination of how close the two teams were to agreeing to a trade.
NBA Insider Marc Stein gave the full details on the conversations between the Knicks and the Jazz.
"Before coming to terms on a blockbuster swap with Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns mere days before the start of training camp, New York made multiple trade runs at Utah's Walker Kessler to fill its well-chronicled void at center, league sources say.
"It is believed that Utah wanted at least two future first-round picks for Kessler … after the Knicks had exhausted much of their remaining cache of draft picks in the trade with Brooklyn for Bridges."
Regardless, a Knicks trade for Kessler didn't appear likely the Towns trade even happened, and Stein's sentiment following the Bridges trade confirmed it. For the time being, Kessler will remain with the Jazz. There is conclusion to draw from this saga though.
The Walker Kessler buzz was real
Kessler had been on the trade market for some time throughout the offseason, but nothing came of it, which bred skepticism that it was ever real to begin with.
Stein's report confirms that, yup, Kessler could have been had at the right price, but despite his value dropping a little, the Jazz were driving a hard bargain for the young center. Two first-round picks is a lot to give up and then some if the Jazz were asking for little to no protections on them, too.
Now, does this mean that Kessler will be traded anytime soon? Probably not. The Knicks engaged with the Jazz because they wanted another center following Isaiah Hartenstein's departure and Mitchell Robinson's injury. With them out of the race, there may not be any Kessler rumors for some time.
However, aspiring playoff contenders could absolutely express interest some time down the line. There are teams like New Orleans who desperately need a center to make some noise in the postseason. Kessler could certainly fit the part.
Better yet, if Kessler bounces back like many believe he can, he could raise his value even more, which either makes him a cornerstone for the Jazz's future or it could help them grab someone else who could become a cornerstone of their future.
Luckily for the Jazz, no matter what happens, time is on their side.