Walker Kessler Articles - Page 2

The Toronto Raptors began the 2024-25 NBA season with a mix of cautious optimism and underlying uncertainty. A youthful core, highlighted by emerging talents and the steady leadership of RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, gave fans hope that the team could push for a playoff spot. However, injuries, inconsistent performances, and defensive vulnerabilities have transformed […]

The Utah Jazz find themselves at a crossroads in the 2024-25 NBA season. As the team navigates a challenging campaign, questions loom over how they can pivot from their current struggles to rebuild for a brighter future. With an 8-25 record through the first third of the season, the Jazz have seen the harsh realities […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz were involved in a deal surrounding Jazz center Walker Kessler over the summer. Although those talks fell through, any possible revisiting is not likely to happen. ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel explained the Jazz’s rationale for not trading Kessler to the Lakers. “One issue Utah has pointed […]

After months of talks, negotiations and a late race to the finish line, the Los Angeles Lakers finally traded for Dorian Finney-Smith. It cost them D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three unprotected second-round picks, but Rob Pelinka finally landed the two-way wing who has alluded him for multiple transaction windows. The natural question after such […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been viewed as one of the teams who is expected to be very active on the trade market after a very up-and-down start to the season that has seen them go on extended winning streaks followed by long losing streaks. Even though Anthony Davis is playing like an MVP and […]

The New York Knicks are currently vibing. They have won eight of their last 10 games, and they are presently the third-seed in the Eastern Conference despite playing more road games (17) than home (14). Long story short, there is a lot to celebrate. Karl-Anthony Towns is playing like an MVP. Jalen Brunson has figured […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on three specific positional needs as they approach the February 6 trade deadline, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. With LeBron James in his 22nd NBA season and turning 40 this month, and Anthony Davis still anchoring the team on both ends of the floor, the Lakers’ […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are 7-4 to start their season. They have sole possession of sixth place in the NBA’s Western Conference. However, the team is in no rush to make a trade. Several people familiar with the situation and detailed why the Lakers aren’t scrambling to improve their roster, via Jovan Buha The Athletic. […]

With Christian Wood already out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery and now Jaxson Hayes expected to miss at least the next week or so with an ankle sprain, the Los Angeles Lakers must two rely on Christian Koloko to play backup minutes behind Anthony Davis. According to sources with knowledge of the Lakers’ […]

The manner with which the Los Angeles Lakers have begun the 2024-25 season is giving fans plenty of hope with regards to a potential championship pursuit. Rejuvenated under head coach JJ Redick, the Lakers have been humming on both ends of the floor. However, their two most recent games, which were both losses to the […]

With the 2024-25 NBA season underway, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in making a trade for an upgrade at center. One of the names that’s been linked to the Lakers via trade is Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler. But for the Lakers to acquire Walker Kessler through a trade, it would likely […]

The Utah Jazz have found themselves in the thick of trade rumors once again, with the Los Angeles Lakers being interested in Walker Kessler. The third-year big man could offer a stable defensive presence at the five-spot. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha dove into some trade scenarios for the Lakers, one of those being Kessler. “I […]

The Utah Jazz are still trying to find their way after the departures of All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in recent years. While the Jazz have shown some promising signs thanks in large part to the surprise development of Lauri Markkanen, they won just 31 games last season and are well behind in the […]

The New York Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster trade that shook up the NBA landscape amid a relatively lackluster offseason, thanks partly to the new CBA that limited teams’ approaches to roster-building. Still, this trade is massive not only because of the names involved, but because it may […]

The New York Knicks could return to a familiar source if they seek assistance in the post-Mitchell Robinson era. Amidst Robinson’s latest injury, he will be out through at least December. However, James L. Edwards of The Athletic revealed that the Knicks have kept tabs on current Detroit Piston Isaiah Stewart, who could be had […]

After he was almost traded to the New York Knicks, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler could be on the move soon. He was reportedly involved in a botched trade with the Knicks that could spell the end of Kessler’s tenure with the Jazz, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. “Per multiple sources, Utah has discussed […]

The New Orleans Pelicans’ quest to find a suitable trade partner for Brandon Ingram has hit another roadblock. The Utah Jazz were once considered one of the most sensible potential destinations for the talented forward. Utah President Danny Ainge put a damp town on those small fires by inking Lauri Markkanen to a long-term contract […]

It’s not quite clear yet which direction the Utah Jazz will be taking as their front office looks to build the next great iteration of the team. This unpredictability makes them one of the more interesting teams to monitor in the trade market. While Lauri Markkanen continues to be the apple of many teams’ eyes, […]

The New York Knicks have assembled a great collection of talent, and anything short of a run to the 2025 NBA Finals may be looked at as a disappointment. Two weeks ago, the Knicks continued to go all-in, this time pulling off a trade with the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges, assembling the […]

The Knicks have had one of the NBA’s best off-seasons this summer, adding 2022 All-Defensive first-teamer Mikal Bridges and re-signing wing OG Anunoby. However, the loss of center Isaiah Hartenstein leaves a void in the big man position for New York. The most convenient solution would be to bring back backup big man Precious Achiuwa, […]

It was always going to be difficult for the New York Knicks to retain Isaiah Hartenstein after trading for Mikal Bridges and handing OG Anunoby a five-year, $212 million contract extension. Now that “I-Hart” is officially gone, though, New York needs to find a replacement. The organization is now targeting Utah Jazz big man Walker […]

The Utah Jazz are back in business. No, they haven’t made any roster moves that make them a championship contender. But what they have done is unveil arguably the best uniforms in the NBA, using key elements of the best uniforms they’ve ever had: the mountains and the color purple. After a two-season rebrand with […]

The Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz engaged in quite an unexpected shootout on Wednesday night, with the Jazz pulling out a 154-148 victory in overtime in this one. While the Jazz got the win, Jalen Duren earned a victory for himself when he pulled off a crazy poster dunk on Walker Kessler, and then ended […]

Last season, Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler made a very late run for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award. Kessler was never a serious threat to win, but the fact that he put his name in the conversation was impressive in itself. Jazz fans were understandably expecting a big second season for Kessler, […]

It was a tale of two halves for the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season. They began last season on fire, surprising pundits in the process after many believed that they’d be one of the frontrunners in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. But come February, after they dealt away their quality veterans, the Jazz struggled immensely, […]

Rebounding and paint presence are aspects of the game that the Utah Jazz are surprisingly excelling during the span of the NBA Preseason. They are looking to build on the recent experiences of Walker Kessler on Team USA and Lauri Markkanen on the All-Star team. But, their frontcourt will only be useful if they are given […]

The FIBA World Cup is quickly approaching for Team USA, and they certainly have gold medal expectations after going undefeated in all of their exhibition matches. Out of all of their warmup games, the contest against Germany proved to be the toughest, although Team USA ultimately came roaring back from a 16-point deficit to beat […]

Who is the best player in the NBA? This is a question basketball fans debate every single year, and it’s one that often has no right answer. MVP candidates such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are obviously amongst the best of the best, but one player cannot win […]

The Utah Jazz started off the 2023 NBA season as one of the more surprising teams in the league. While they were initially projected to join the Victor Wembanyama tanking sweepstakes, they were in the midst of the Western Conference playoff picture up until the final weeks of the regular season. Since they missed the […]

Utah Jazz rookie Walker Kessler was without a doubt one of the biggest steals of the 2022 NBA Draft. The Jazz snagged the former UNC and Auburn standout as the No. 22 overall pick in the draft, and he turned out to be a real gem for Utah. Kessler established himself as one of the […]

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat have two days of rest before retaking the court for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Each team has had media availabilities though in the days between games. While much of the focus until Sunday’s game will be on what the Heat can do to make adjustments and avoid […]

After winning this season’s Rookie of the Year award, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was unanimously selected to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie First Team on Monday. Banchero had a stellar rookie season after being drafted first overall by the Magic, as he averaged 20.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while recording 14 total double-doubles […]

The eye test versus analytics debate can get pretty ugly sometimes. Both camps ardently stick to their views, and it has become increasingly difficult to find common ground. The latest instance centers around the 2022-23 NBA rookie of the Year. One voter immediately put an end to Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero’s unanimous bid by […]

There is always something riveting in the unknown. And in the NBA, there are no greater unknowns than rookies, tantalizing as they may be given the players they could become once they flesh out their games. It’s always exciting to watch the best young players figure out the ropes of the professional game, proving to […]

After leaving the court in the second half their loss against the Brooklyn Nets after sustaining a head injury, Utah Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler has entered the league’s concussion protocols, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. This will likely end Kessler’s season, as there are only four games remaining on the regular season schedule for the […]

Leaving the second half of Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets with a head injury, Utah Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler will be evaluated for a possible concussion (h/t Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune). With just four games remaining, that could spell the end of the big man’s season. He had six points […]

The Utah Jazz have been one of the more impressive teams this season. Unfortunately for them, after a hot start, injuries have diminished their ability to win games and reach the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Although forward Lauri Markkanen, a first-time All-Star in 2022-23 has returned, guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton remain out for the […]

Walker Kessler was mired in a little bit of an offensive slump over the last five games. The Utah Jazz rookie broke out of it in a big way Saturday. The 21-year-old had averaged just 8.8 points per game over the last five before erupting for 31 points against the Sacramento Kings. The Auburn product […]

Utah Jazz fans are in pure ecstasy right now after clinching a crucial win against the Boston Celtics at home. And who wouldn’t be? Not only did the team improved their chances of qualifying for a Play-In spot, but they also absolutely entertained in a game capped off by a clutch block from rookie Walker […]