Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler was close to being traded to one of the big market teams at the trade deadline last month.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks both were in the trade discussions for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, both the Lakers and the Knicks were pushing extremely hard to trade for Jazz's big man, and were in advanced talks with Utah.
The Lakers ultimately weren't able to acquire a starting center after trading away Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic.
Though the Lakers attempted to trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, that deal was rescinded due to injury concerns surrounding Williams.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, were trying to get another big, who could've replaced injured Mitchell Robinson, who's now back in the lineup.
Both the Lakers, with a 38-21 record, and the Knicks, sitting at 40-20, are currently in the top 3 of their respective conferences.
On the other hand, the Utah Jazz are in the midst of a rebuild, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 15-45 record. Although they were open to trading Kessler for more assets, the Jazz ultimately valued him highly and were not convinced that either team offered enough in return.
Kessler, who has averaged 11.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in 46 appearances this season, remains a key building block for Utah’s future.
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