Marc Stein’s latest report includes an intriguing detail about Walker Kessler’s trade situation.
According to Stein, both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers made serious efforts to acquire Kessler before the trade deadline.
League sources indicate that the Knicks were just as persistent as the Lakers in trying to persuade Utah to engage in meaningful trade discussions. However, the Jazz firmly rejected any in-season offers for Kessler, making it clear they had no interest in moving him at that time.
It’s always fascinating to hear about trade negotiations that ultimately led nowhere. In this case, it seems like a deal was never really on the table—at least not before the deadline. Given that Luka Dončić’s move to the Lakers already strengthened their roster, Utah likely had even less incentive to make them better, especially since they own L.A.’s 2027 first-round pick. The Knicks’ ongoing interest, however, raises questions about what they might be offering. After all, their trade for Mikal Bridges left them with fewer assets to leverage.
The part of Stein’s report that stands out is the mention of “in-season.” Was Utah’s reluctance solely due to the timing? Could a deal be more feasible in the offseason? Time will tell, but one thing is clear—Kessler will have plenty of suitors.
