Walker Kessler has had a good start to the season with the Utah Jazz, which is exactly what both sides want. However, with his potential extension looming and doubts surrounding his future with the team, a trade can't be ruled out.
Kessler was linked to both the Knicks and Lakers during the offseason. In recent weeks, the Lakers buzz has grown stronger, though it is hard to think of a plausible deal between the two sides. However, that hasn't stopped the Lakers from trying.
The Athletic's Sam Amick detailed the following trade offer that the Jazz turned down from the Lakers.
Lakers get: Kessler
Jazz get: D'Angelo Russell & Multiple first-round picks
Amick didn't explain why the Jazz turned it down, but also added that there could be a deal to be made if the Lakers add some sweetener to it. With all of that considered, did the Jazz choose right in rejecting this swap?
The Jazz get more assets, but potentially cheaper ones
The Lakers have been careful with their draft assets, and for good reason. They know they're on borrowed time with LeBron James at this point, which makes it harder for them to capitalize on the roster they have because there's no telling if they'll ever reach the heights they were once at or how much longer they can try.
Kessler is one of the few available players who allows them to have the best of both worlds. He can help their present and their future. He gives them a younger player who could potentially develop into something special while he also makes for a potentially dangerous frontcourt pairing with Anthony Davis.
From the Lakers' perspective, this makes a whole lot of sense, which is why they would be so willing to offer multiple picks - something they outright refused to do during the offseason with potential trade partners. For the Jazz, it's a different story.
Those Lakers assets could be golden knowing the limited timeframe with James, but Kessler gives them some cushion and a potential piece to build around. Knowing the Lakers' reputation as a free agent hot spot, Kessler could be a serious building block for their future, which would only add to their appeal.
Combine that making the Lakers better potentially makes their immediate assets worse. Since the Jazz own the Lakers 2027 first-round pick (top-4 protected), that kills the value of that pick knowing that the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers' current situation could increase tenfold three years from now.
And does it even need to be said that the Jazz have little use for someone like D'Angelo Russell?
This could be re-visited in the future, and if certain other perks come along the way, there certainly could be something here depending on how the Jazz feel about Kessler come February. For now, knowing the Jazz don't have much to lose, they're right to play hard to get with the Lakers
