The Utah Jazz are a tough team to negotiate with and committing to a trade with them can be very difficult.
When they have their mind made up about one of their stars, they rarely change it.
Evan Sidery is reporting that the Jazz’s view of Walker Kessler hasn’t changed and the 23-year-old big man is “not available” for any potential trade this season.
That is what Sidery said last month.
Despite many teams wanting Kessler, Utah isn’t budging.
Over the past month, nothing has changed regarding the Jazz’s stance on potentially trading Walker Kessler.
Utah’s big man is not available, and a league source firmly reiterated that statement this week to me. https://t.co/1LGV4RGu0A
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 24, 2025
Kessler is averaging 11.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
With a strong field goal percentage (72.7 percent and 50.0 percent from the three-point line), Kessler is seen as one of the best young big men in the league.
His youth is one of his most valuable assets because he is just 23 and could grow even more in the years ahead.
Many analysts view him as a franchise player, someone a team can build around.
There have been several teams inquiring about Kessler, notably the Los Angeles Lakers.
But the Jazz are reportedly not changing their stances on the third-year star and want to hold onto him.
At least that is what they are saying.
This could be public posturing that forces other front offices to put up more in a potential trade.
Instead of second-round picks, the Jazz might be signaling that they want first-rounders and win-now talent as well.
This isn’t the first time the Jazz have fiercely held onto their stars.
They might be the worst team in the West right now, but they know that won’t be the case in a few years, especially if they have Kessler still on the roster.
The trade deadline is sneaking up so will the Jazz re-evaluate their Kessler contract before February 6?
NEXT: Odds Show The Betting Favorite To Land Collin Sexton In Trade
