At first, it seemed like a distant memory when reports indicated that the Utah Jazz had made Walker Kessler available in trade talks. But then, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus revealed that it may not be so distant after all.
"Per multiple sources, Utah has discussed Kessler previously in trade, including a stalled conversation with the New York Knicks. He doesn't seem part of the team's long-term plan," Pincus wrote in an August 23 story.
So, the fact that Kessler is still being mentioned in trade rumors would indicate that this isn't some offseason scuttlebutt. However, it hardly seems reasonable to trade Kessler even if he's coming off a disappointing sophomore campaign, but there could be more to it than that.
1. The Jazz want to use him in a trade for a star
The only reason why Kessler's sophomore season was considered disappointing was because of how impressive his rookie year was. There's a solid chance it was just a one-off because that happens to many players who hit the ground running when they come to the NBA.
Kessler is still a young player who has proven that he has promise. His value might not be what it was in 2023, but there'd be no reason to think a team may take a chance on his potential.
That's why it would make sense if the Jazz traded him only if they were getting an unquestionable star for him. Someone like Brandon Ingram wouldn't necessarily be a clear-cut option, but if that is the best they can get for him, they could do much worse.
2. There's something going on behind the scenes
It's really odd that a team would give up on a young player with such promise, even if he didn't exactly take the step they thought he would. In such situations, it's very possible that Kessler and Utah aren't the right fit for each other.
No one is trying to insinuate that Kessler is a problem child because that hasn't been confirmed. However, there may be issues like Kessler believing he can't play the best version of himself with the way the Jazz utilize him.
Or, maybe Kessler believes he is better served playing for a team that is ready to win in the present rather winning in the future. There are plenty of reasons for why there could be issues behind the scenes.
If Kessler becomes a problem for them or has already become a problem, then that might be why the Jazz don't think he's worth the trouble going forward. That is, if he is proving to be trouble.
3. They *really* want to get rid of John Collins
It's beating a dead horse at this point to say that the Jazz should trade Collins the first chance they get since he is paid on an albatross contract. That deal would be hard to get rid of on its own, but maybe not if Kessler is included.
Trading Kessler along with Collins could negate including any of the Jazz's future first-round picks that they have in their arsenal. Or at the very least, it would limit how many first-round picks they would have to trade.
It's not like the Jazz's salary cap is handicapped by Collins' contract at all. In fact, he's only on the books for two more years, and that's not unbearable. It's more that he doesn't fit in their long-term plans, so if they don't believe in Kessler much going forward, and a team is willing to take on Collins' deal to bet on him, the Jazz just might say yes to that.