Report: Jazz Not Looking To Trade Walker Kessler

According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Utah Jazz are not looking to trade Walker Kessler.

While the Jazz will likely be open for business during trade season, Kessler and All-Star Lauri Markkanen will not be moved. 

“Utah is not shopping Kessler and view him as a young foundational piece to their core alongside Lauri Markkanen, a league source familiar with the situation recently told me,” Sidery wrote. 

The Jazz could look to move veterans Jordan Clarkson, John Collins and Collin Sexton. 

Kessler has appeared in 29 games for the Jazz this season. He’s averaging 10.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.6 blocks while shooting 71.5% from the field, 66.7% from beyond the arc and 55.8% from the free-throw line. 

The 23-year-old Kessler has career NBA averages of 9.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 2.4 blocks. 

Kessler’s girlfriend, Abbie Stockard, recently won Miss America. 

“That was not on my bingo card, for sure,” Kessler told KSL. “It’s a great title and stuff, but more than that she’s an incredible young woman, even before she won Miss America or anything. It’s cool to see her get recognized for that, but she’s an incredible person. To me, she’ll always just be Abbie.

“I’m not a big believer in coincidences. I definitely think it’s a God thing. The fact that we play in Orlando one time the whole year, and it happens to be the night of her finals night, and she wins. I mean, you couldn’t have drawn it out better.”