The NBA trade market revealed significant interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler before the 2025 trade deadline. Both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers emerged as serious contenders attempting to acquire the promising big man.
Despite their persistent efforts, the Jazz organization remained firm in their stance, refusing to entertain any substantial discussions regarding Kessler’s availability.
“League sources say that the Knicks were right there with the Lakers in their determination before the trade deadline to try to convince Utah to engage in meaningful Walker Kessler trade talks,” NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his weekly Stein Line newsletter. “No dice, though. The Jazz made it clear they wanted no part of entertaining Kessler pitches in-season.”
The Jazz’s reluctance to engage in trade talks specifically mentioned their unwillingness to consider “in-season” offers. This particular phrasing suggests a potential openness to revisit discussions during the upcoming offseason. The timing element appears crucial in Utah’s decision-making process regarding their valuable young center.
For the Lakers, acquiring Kessler would have added much-needed frontcourt depth to complement LeBron James and strengthen their playoff push. However, the Jazz own the Lakers’ 2027 first-round draft pick, creating a strategic disincentive for Utah to improve Los Angeles’ roster.
The Knicks’ continued interest is particularly noteworthy considering their recent asset depletion after the expensive Mikal Bridges trade with Brooklyn. Their pursuit indicates Kessler’s perceived value as they look to bolster their center position alongside star point guard Jalen Brunson.
Kessler represents a prized asset in today’s NBA – a young, defensive-minded center on a team-friendly contract. His shot-blocking abilities and development potential make him an attractive target for championship contenders looking to counter teams with dominant big men like Victor Wembanyama.
As the offseason approaches, Kessler’s situation bears watching. The Jazz’s phrasing suggests a potential willingness to field offers once the season concludes, which could trigger renewed interest from multiple teams beyond just the Knicks and Lakers.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
