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Yes ... the Utah Jazz lost their starting center this offseason.
No ... that doesn't mean replacing him should become their highest priority.
Walker Kessler gave Utah a dependable rebounder, elite rim protector and efficient finisher across four seasons. Those qualities matter, particularly for a team attempting to return to the playoffs.
But the Jazz already possess enough frontcourt talent to replace his production collectively.
And Jaren Jackson Jr. is the primary reason why.
Jackson doesn't need to become Utah’s full-time center. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year can spend stretches at the five while retaining the flexibility to play beside a traditional big man.
Closing with Jackson alongside Lauri Markkanen would give Utah the opportunity to play five-out without completely sacrificing rim protection. Jackson averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season while converting 35.7% of his 3-point attempts.
Kessler couldn't provide that offensive flexibility.
And Jackson’s limited rebounding becomes considerably less concerning when accounting for the rest of Utah’s frontcourt.
Jusuf Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his first season with the Jazz. Nobody should ask him to play 35 minutes every night, but he can start games, defend stronger centers and keep Utah’s offense moving through his passing.
Kyle Filipowski provides another option.
The 6-foot-11 big man averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 77 appearances last season. His shooting remains inconsistent, but his ability to handle the ball and attack from the perimeter gives Will Hardy something a traditional center cannot.
Then there are Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba.
Hayes supplies vertical athleticism after shooting 75.6% from the field last season. Bamba gives Utah another 7-footer capable of blocking shots and occasionally stretching beyond the arc.
Neither requires a major role.
So ... where exactly is the emergency?
Kessler played only five games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Utah already spent nearly an entire campaign distributing his minutes among other players.
The Jazz have since added Hayes, retained Bamba and gained another potential center option in Jackson. He underwent surgery in February to remove a localized growth from his left knee, with ESPN reporting at the time that he was expected to receive clearance well before training camp.
Utah doesn't need to trade for another center simply because Kessler left.
That doesn't mean Danny Ainge should ignore an opportunity.
If Dallas becomes motivated to move Daniel Gafford for less than his actual value, Utah should absolutely investigate. Positional redundancy isn't a problem when another team’s roster crunch creates an opportunity to acquire a valuable player.
But that would be the Jazz taking advantage of Dallas.
It wouldn't be Utah desperately attempting to repair its own roster.
Nurkić can handle traditional centers. Filipowski can provide offense and rebounding. Hayes and Bamba can supply specialized minutes. Jackson allows Hardy to play smaller without abandoning interior defense.
The Jazz can always add another good player.
They don't need to force a Kessler replacement.
Continue reading...
No ... that doesn't mean replacing him should become their highest priority.
Walker Kessler gave Utah a dependable rebounder, elite rim protector and efficient finisher across four seasons. Those qualities matter, particularly for a team attempting to return to the playoffs.
But the Jazz already possess enough frontcourt talent to replace his production collectively.
And Jaren Jackson Jr. is the primary reason why.
Jackson doesn't need to become Utah’s full-time center. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year can spend stretches at the five while retaining the flexibility to play beside a traditional big man.
Closing with Jackson alongside Lauri Markkanen would give Utah the opportunity to play five-out without completely sacrificing rim protection. Jackson averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season while converting 35.7% of his 3-point attempts.
Kessler couldn't provide that offensive flexibility.
And Jackson’s limited rebounding becomes considerably less concerning when accounting for the rest of Utah’s frontcourt.
Jusuf Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his first season with the Jazz. Nobody should ask him to play 35 minutes every night, but he can start games, defend stronger centers and keep Utah’s offense moving through his passing.
Kyle Filipowski provides another option.
The 6-foot-11 big man averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 77 appearances last season. His shooting remains inconsistent, but his ability to handle the ball and attack from the perimeter gives Will Hardy something a traditional center cannot.
Then there are Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba.
Hayes supplies vertical athleticism after shooting 75.6% from the field last season. Bamba gives Utah another 7-footer capable of blocking shots and occasionally stretching beyond the arc.
Neither requires a major role.
So ... where exactly is the emergency?
Kessler played only five games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Utah already spent nearly an entire campaign distributing his minutes among other players.
The Jazz have since added Hayes, retained Bamba and gained another potential center option in Jackson. He underwent surgery in February to remove a localized growth from his left knee, with ESPN reporting at the time that he was expected to receive clearance well before training camp.
Utah doesn't need to trade for another center simply because Kessler left.
That doesn't mean Danny Ainge should ignore an opportunity.
If Dallas becomes motivated to move Daniel Gafford for less than his actual value, Utah should absolutely investigate. Positional redundancy isn't a problem when another team’s roster crunch creates an opportunity to acquire a valuable player.
But that would be the Jazz taking advantage of Dallas.
It wouldn't be Utah desperately attempting to repair its own roster.
Nurkić can handle traditional centers. Filipowski can provide offense and rebounding. Hayes and Bamba can supply specialized minutes. Jackson allows Hardy to play smaller without abandoning interior defense.
The Jazz can always add another good player.
They don't need to force a Kessler replacement.
Continue reading...
