Wizards Eye Walker Kessler as Jazz Hold Firm Ahead of Deadline
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Washington Wizards are reportedly eyeing a bold move that could reshape their frontcourt-and potentially shake up the Western Conference in the process. Despite the Utah Jazz making it clear they want to keep Walker Kessler in Salt Lake City long term, that hasn’t stopped teams like the Wizards and Pacers from testing the waters.
Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center known for his rim protection and rebounding instincts, is out for the season with a shoulder injury. But that hasn’t cooled interest around the league.
Even sidelined, Kessler’s upside is hard to ignore. He’s still on his rookie deal, set to earn $4.8 million in the final year, and will hit restricted free agency this summer-meaning the Jazz have the right to match any offer he receives.
According to league chatter, Washington is preparing to make a significant push. After landing All-Star guard Trae Young in a recent trade with the Atlanta Hawks, the Wizards appear to be building something with a long-term vision in mind. Pairing Young with a young, mobile big like Kessler could give them a dynamic inside-out duo to grow around.
And there’s reason for optimism on that front. Kessler has already shown he can be a double-double machine.
In the brief five-game stretch he played this season before the injury, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game-numbers that speak to his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. That kind of production, even in a small sample size, carries weight when evaluating long-term potential.
Still, Utah doesn’t appear eager to let him go. League insiders say the Jazz are optimistic about re-signing Kessler once free agency opens.
Despite failing to reach a rookie scale extension before the October 20 deadline-reportedly due to a significant gap in negotiations-the Jazz continue to signal that Kessler remains a key part of their future plans. They’re expected to use their projected salary cap space this summer to build around him.
But that hasn’t stopped other teams from knocking. The Indiana Pacers, fresh off losing longtime center Myles Turner to Milwaukee in free agency, have also shown trade interest in Kessler. While Utah remains in control thanks to Kessler’s restricted free agency status, the fact that multiple teams are circling speaks volumes about his value across the league.
The Jazz now face a familiar NBA conundrum: hold tight to a promising young big man and risk losing him in a bidding war this summer, or consider trade offers now while they still control his rights. It’s a delicate balance between long-term planning and short-term opportunity.
For the Wizards, acquiring Kessler would represent more than just a roster upgrade-it would be a statement. After years of retooling, Washington is clearly trying to build a competitive core. Adding a defensive anchor like Kessler to complement Trae Young could fast-track that process.
Whether Utah listens or not, the interest is real. And as the deadline looms, all eyes will be on what the Jazz decide to do with one of the league’s most intriguing young centers.