Lakers Want to Trade Russell and Multiple First-Round Picks for Young Center Kessler, But Jazz Not Interested

The latest reports indicate that the Utah Jazz are not interested in a potential trade offer from the Los Angeles Lakers involving D’Angelo Russell and multiple first-round picks for Walker Kessler.

Earlier, renowned sports journalists John Hollinger and Sam Amick analyzed players to watch before the trade deadline, with one of them being Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.

Sam Amick mentioned that a source informed him about a possible trade framework between the Lakers and the Jazz, which included D’Angelo Russell and multiple first-round picks, but this was not appealing to the Jazz.

Amick subsequently added, “There could be other trade proposals from the Lakers that would be more attractive,” suggesting that the Lakers might offer a trade package that the Jazz would find more acceptable. Although the Jazz’s performance has been poor this season, Kessler’s play has noticeably improved compared to last year.

Additionally, league sources reported that Jazz head coach Will Hardy has been very demanding of Kessler behind the scenes, aiming to drive his development and clarify his value. However, there have been reports in recent seasons of some dissatisfaction between Kessler and the Jazz.

The exact details are known only to the Jazz and Kessler. In reality, every player is subject to certain demands from their team and coaches, and conflicts between a player’s future plans and the team’s strategy are not uncommon, so these reports may not necessarily indicate serious issues. On the positive side, this year we have seen Kessler become more focused in his areas of strength: blocking shots, defense, and offensive rebounding, as well as improving in pick-and-roll plays. His biggest improvement may be in his mindset, where he has become more confident and assertive, which were major expectations for him last season.

Kessler will be eligible for an extension after this season, potentially leading to a significant pay raise.