PHOENIX — It does not appear the Phoenix Suns will willingly give up the needed assets to trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler this offseason.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Several fans got their hopes up after SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Jazz were looking for at least one first-round pick for Kessler.
"Teams in touch with Utah say the Jazz are looking for at least a first round pick in return for Kessler"@IanBegley on the trade market for Walker Kessler, the latest on Precious Achiuwa, and more: pic.twitter.com/vuflJrsgLP
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 9, 2024
Phoenix only has one future first-round pick that is currently trade eligible in 2031. Fans on social media have proposed a package of this first-round pick and starting center Jusuf Nurkić for most of the offseason to land Kessler.
I like Nurkic but if him and that future first get Kessler… https://t.co/8mmLpO9mEi
— Khaleel Abdullah (@its_khaleel) July 9, 2024
Not only would trading the 2031 first plus Nurk for Walker Kessler make sense, but it’d be a step in the right direction to getting under the second apron before 2026 so our firsts don’t slide to the last pick of the round in 32 and 33 when those picks could be top of the first
— Rizzy (@ImK1utch) July 9, 2024
When you think about what weaknesses our team has at the moment, the moment you trade for Walker Kessler those issues get fixed immediately. There’s no reason at all to not offer 2031 with Nurk or Nas
— ???????????????? ???????? (@alex7xr) July 9, 2024
Arizona Sports‘ John Gambadoro shut down these Kessler rumors on X today:
“The Jazz want a first-round pick for him the Suns would NEVER give up 2031 for him so I would say this is not an option. They have Nurk and (Mason) Plumlee with (Oso Ighodaro) as a third string big and Bol as a 4/5.”
The Jazz want a first-round pick for him the Suns would NEVER give up 2031 for him so I would say this is not an option. They have Nurk and Plumlee with Odo as a third string big and Bol as a 4/5. https://t.co/ymPkG4sGAB
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 9, 2024
Gambadoro later added:
“Going to change this to they want at least 2 first round picks for him and will get it IF they trade him. He is 22 and a legit shot blocker/rim protector and they have already turned down 2 firsts from at least 2 other teams. He is not coming to Phoenix.”
Going to change this to they want at least 2 first round picks for him and will get it IF they trade him. He is 22 and a legit shot blocker/rim protector and they have already turned down 2 firsts from at least 2 other teams. He is not coming to Phoenix. https://t.co/zDA8QYKhiG
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 9, 2024
Kessler, the 22nd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his two seasons in Utah. He is only making $2.966 million next season compared to $18.125 million for Nurkić.
Due to the Suns operating in the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, they cannot send out more than one player in a trade, but can attach future draft assets. In addition to their 2031 first-round pick, the Suns have Denver’s 2026 and 2031 second-round picks, as well as their own 2031 second-round pick that are all trade eligible.
https://t.co/udxc31w9FX pic.twitter.com/2gcOTqijy7
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 24, 2024
Gambadoro reported last week that he does “not expect the Suns to trade (Nurkić). He should do well in (new coach Mike Budenholzer’s) offense. He will be back.”
I do not expect the Suns to trade Nurk. He should do well in Bud’s offense. He will be back. https://t.co/tjmG3oflfT
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 1, 2024
If Phoenix does in fact to keep Nurkić, who has two more seasons left on his contract, it will have a clear center rotation with Nurkić starting, new addition Mason Plumlee backing him up and rookie Oso Ighodaro and Bol Bol also in the mix.
The Suns currently have one more roster spot open for a standard contract.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
