Warriors trade proposal sends fan favorite guard to Jazz for $13.3 million star center

The Golden State Warriors were wise to sign Al Horford this past offseason following the departure of Kevon Looney. 

Still, with the Warriors relying heavily on the guard play, it wouldn’t be a poor idea to balance out their roster by adding another impactful frontcourt contributor. 

In a hypothetical trade scenario crafted by Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe, the Warriors would send a fan favorite guard to the Utah Jazz for a 7-foot-2 star center. 

“Golden State does have future picks that they could throw to Utah in a potential trade(for Walker Kessler), but what about a deal with no draft capital involved? Would both teams consider the below trade (Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Jazz for Kessler)?”

“The Warriors would have to throw in Jackson-Davis or another end of roster player to make the contracts work, but essentially this is a Podziemski-for-Kessler swap from a value perspective.”

“Jackson-Davis makes the most sense given both he and Kessler are centers, yet it could be Gui Santos or another minimum salary player if needed.”

Kessler would elevate the Warriors’ big man unit to new heights not only this season, but for the foreseeable future.

The Auburn product is arguably the best shot-blocking center in the league, as his knack for perfectly timing his jumps and refraining from making illegal contact with aggressive downhill attackers enables him to feast as an interior defender. 

On the offense end, Kessler is a pick-and-roll extradoniare who’s a high percentage finisher in lob situations and back-to-the-basket post-up situations.

Kessler, who will open his fourth NBA season tonight when the Jazz face the Los Angeles Clippers at home, is coming off a spectacular season in Utah. 

The 24-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 12,2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last season, shooting 66.3% from the field in 58 contests. 

If Kessler becomes a legitimate trade target for the Dubs before the Feb. 5 deadline, the former lottery pick could be featured in a franchise-bolstering midseason deal. 

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