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Walker Kessler was a bigger loss for the Utah Jazz than most would care to admit. His asking price was too high, that was affirmed throughout the past two seasons of contract negotiations before he finally accepted an overpay from the Los Angeles Lakers (who else?).
Utah presented a very reasonable offer for a center whose offensive skillset was still developing upon a foundation of exceptional rim protection. Doubly so when considering Kessler's availability issues, appearing in a few notches over 60% of his possible games since joining the Jazz as a rookie.
The pair couldn't come to a consensus -- it happens -- but the Jazz rest on the laurels of a strong consolation package including up to four first-round picks, courtesy of Los Angeles, and Jaren Jackson Jr already poised to take over the responsibilities at the five for a starting lineup.
This frees up space for Ace Bailey to open his floor time at tip-off, frees up some cap space (not that the Jazz were exactly drowning in hefty contracts), and gives the team flexibility both in the immediate future where they'll attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since starting the rebuild and in the distant future, where they retain vast stores of draft capital moving forward.
But Kessler was such a coveted free agent for a reason -- and the Jazz may miss his rim protection and rebounding at the five.
With Kessler, Utah was a sleeper to contend for the Western Conference Finals. Without him, they may be capped around the 7-8 seed, dangerously forced to brave the Play-In Tournament and risk early elimination.
Fortunately, the Jazz have the contract flexibility to secure one of the best young centers in the league, fresh off of an All-NBA season.
Jalen Duren is a fantastic player -- suspend your playoff-tainted skepticism for a moment -- and at just 22 years of age, he could be the defensive-minded prospect that both stabilizes Utah's playoff boat and potentially elevates them to the level of an NBA Finals contender.
He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and a block per game in his breakout season with Detroit and has publicly announced his desire to play anywhere else following the Pistons' low offers. He's coming off an All-Star and All-NBA season, is even younger than Kessler, and fascinatingly complements JJJ in the frontcourt.
He struggles to shoot the ball, but flashes promise to develop that defect. If you're a team like Utah, crouching in the bushes and raring to pounce onto the Western Conference scene, why not take a chance on one of basketball's most promising youngsters? It'll cost the Jazz -- perhaps somewhere in the range of $25-$30 million per year -- but you have to spend money to build a monument sturdy enough to withstand the postseason.
They'd be crazy not to make an offer.
Continue reading...
Utah presented a very reasonable offer for a center whose offensive skillset was still developing upon a foundation of exceptional rim protection. Doubly so when considering Kessler's availability issues, appearing in a few notches over 60% of his possible games since joining the Jazz as a rookie.
The pair couldn't come to a consensus -- it happens -- but the Jazz rest on the laurels of a strong consolation package including up to four first-round picks, courtesy of Los Angeles, and Jaren Jackson Jr already poised to take over the responsibilities at the five for a starting lineup.
This frees up space for Ace Bailey to open his floor time at tip-off, frees up some cap space (not that the Jazz were exactly drowning in hefty contracts), and gives the team flexibility both in the immediate future where they'll attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since starting the rebuild and in the distant future, where they retain vast stores of draft capital moving forward.
But Kessler was such a coveted free agent for a reason -- and the Jazz may miss his rim protection and rebounding at the five.
With Kessler, Utah was a sleeper to contend for the Western Conference Finals. Without him, they may be capped around the 7-8 seed, dangerously forced to brave the Play-In Tournament and risk early elimination.
Fortunately, the Jazz have the contract flexibility to secure one of the best young centers in the league, fresh off of an All-NBA season.
Jalen Duren is a fantastic player -- suspend your playoff-tainted skepticism for a moment -- and at just 22 years of age, he could be the defensive-minded prospect that both stabilizes Utah's playoff boat and potentially elevates them to the level of an NBA Finals contender.
He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and a block per game in his breakout season with Detroit and has publicly announced his desire to play anywhere else following the Pistons' low offers. He's coming off an All-Star and All-NBA season, is even younger than Kessler, and fascinatingly complements JJJ in the frontcourt.
He struggles to shoot the ball, but flashes promise to develop that defect. If you're a team like Utah, crouching in the bushes and raring to pounce onto the Western Conference scene, why not take a chance on one of basketball's most promising youngsters? It'll cost the Jazz -- perhaps somewhere in the range of $25-$30 million per year -- but you have to spend money to build a monument sturdy enough to withstand the postseason.
They'd be crazy not to make an offer.
Continue reading...
