Ah yes… a two-team trade that involves just one player, I am very simple man, I see simple trade…
But, now that we’re on the topic, are ramifications of this trade simple? Actually… kinda?
- Lakers acquire Walker Kessler (sign-and-trade).
- Jazz acquire the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick, the Lakers’ 2033 first-round pick, the right to swap either the Jazz’s or and Cavaliers’ 2028 first-round pick (whichever is most favorable) for the Lakers’ 2028 first-round pick, and the right to swap their 2030 first-round pick for the Lakers’ 2030 first-round pick.
So while yes, we are taking look at this trade from a fantasy perspective, we are also basically making a post solely focusing on Kessler as a buy or sell candidate in a vacuum. Or void, if you’re into sci-fi. But look, we all know what’s been aggregated out there, and if you don’t, it’s what you’d expect if you know Luka’s game. One of the best creators in the league, the guy just wants a solid P&R option and someone who can play very good defense in the paint. We saw this in Dereck Lively III and now Walker will get his chance to play that same role. The thing is, everyone else will know this too.
And then on top of that, you’ll have to value in the fact that Kessler has only played what, two games the last 10 years? Okay, so it’s just five in the last year… and how much of that is chronic? Maybe nothing, we are talking about the Jazz after all.
This is like that dumb Donald Rumsfeld quote about knowing all the knowns and not knowing the unknowns. I forgot exactly what it was, but I’m too lazy to research it, the exact words don’t really matter and I’m pretty sure I said it better than that doofus, but the point is, out of all the players who’s value might be hard to gauge due to role, injury, new dynamic, etc. Walker Kessler might actually end up being simple to value.
He’s going to a good situation and will be given the chance to take his game to the next level, and despite his injury concerns, I think everyone knows they’ll be getting a solid player that moves up or down based on Luka, and with Luka primed for another MVP caliber year, I think Kessler is a safe bet to land right outside the price you’d be rationally willing to pay for him. Call it the Lakers shine combined with the potential upside, but generally, that tax makes me want to someplace else. Have y’all see how far Domantas Sabonis’ value has fallen? Just sayin…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell.
