Report: Jazz Seeking Two First-Round Picks For Walker Kessler

The Jazz are seeking two first-round draft picks in order to trade center Walker Kessler, per NBA insider Marc Stein Of The Stein Line.

While several opposing teams have expressed an interest in Kessler, the Jazz are in no way feeling desperate to move him, sources told Hoops Wire/Amico Hoops.

Stein reported that the Knicks were among the teams that spoke to Utah about Kessler. That likely was before New York landed Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade with the Timberwolves.

“It is believed that Utah wanted at least two future first-round picks for Kessler … after the Knicks had exhausted much of their remaining cache of draft picks in the trade with Brooklyn for Bridges,” Stein wrote.

“New York’s desire to acquire a front-line center only grew as the offseason wore on after Isaiah Hartenstein left for Oklahoma City in free agency and with Mitchell Robinson recovering slower than expected from ankle surgery. The Knicks have provided no firm timetable on Robinson’s recovery timetable but it is presumed that he is likely sidelined until at least December.”

As for the Jazz, it will be interesting to see how this season unfolds and what moves will end up being made by CEO Danny Ainge — who likes to not only make trades, but keep the trade talk around his team buzzing. Ainge’s strength is always keeping his options open and acquiring assets. His weakness is sometimes treating his teams like they’re in a rotisserie league.

Either way, two first-rounders for Kessler would be too much. We will see if Utah intends to try to get to the play-in tournament or go into tank mode. When it comes to that, the Jazz may be the biggest mystery in the NBA.