PhilBlackson wrote:JB7 wrote:PhilBlackson wrote:
You can try to downplay Kessler but he’s one of the best rim protectors in the league (better than Yak) and we also likely wouldn’t have ironically needed* to trade this pick for Jakob and not have to ever worry about conveying anything…and not overpaying Poeltl on a contract that will be hard to move, meanwhile Kessler would be cheaper right now and perfectly on Scottie’s timeline to grow, develop with him for years to come. That could’ve had a more substantial impact than you’re trying to portray it to be.
Kessler's numbers all generally dropped across the board this year. Even his playing time only went up slightly from 23 mins in his rookie season to 23.3 mins per game this season. This is what most teams saw. Great around the basket for blocks, rebounds or dunks, but useless outside the restricted area. In a game that has moved further away from the restricted area for scoring, he is not the type of C you want to build around. That's why they targeted Koloko. They thought that like Gobert, he could guard both the restricted area, as well as guard out to the perimeter, and that on O, he wouldn't need to live under the basket, taking away the ability for the teams guards/wings to drive to the basket.
Nonetheless it's the same role Poeltl is playing now except Kessler is actually a better shot blocker, cheaper, would have long term to develop with all of these guys & when Koloko did play his impact wasn't anywhere near comparable to Kessler sooooo?!?
Not to mention Kessler is younger than Koloko too. If Kessler was on the Raptors, people would be like "Masai with another home run" lol