Rumors, Random Thoughts, and Non-threadworthy Posts The 19th Hole

[HadAnEffectHere]

"The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler. One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector."

Hmm, Danny is just out of his mind actually.

https://lakersdaily.com/source-lakers-will-attempt-to-trade-for-walker-kessler-again-during-2025-26-season/

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

I do not think there has been any indication given by the Jazz that they want Walker Kessler is the very confusing part here.

[SkyHook]

"The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler. One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector."

Hmm, Danny is just out of his mind actually.

https://lakersdaily.com/source-lakers-will-attempt-to-trade-for-walker-kessler-again-during-2025-26-season/

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

I do not think there has been any indication given by the Jazz that they want Walker Kessler is the very confusing part here.

"The Jazz know this and, according to sources, highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future."

This is from Tony Jones' article yesterday and there's been plenty of other reporting confirming this. The Andys, Sarah, Locke, etc. If you're going to ignore this or be skeptical no matter what... well that's a choice at this point.

[Scoot McGroot]

"The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler. One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector."

Hmm, Danny is just out of his mind actually.

https://lakersdaily.com/source-lakers-will-attempt-to-trade-for-walker-kessler-again-during-2025-26-season/

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

Maybe. But most every team simply says “he’s not available. We like him and are building around him.” If the team chooses to wow you, then ok. But you don’t generally negotiate without the intent of trading a guy. And players know that.

[SkyHook]

"The Jazz have a high asking price for Kessler. One source told Lakers Daily that the Lakers would have to part ways with Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks to acquire Kessler, who projects to be a great fit next to Doncic and LeBron James since he’s a skilled lob threat and excellent rim protector."

Hmm, Danny is just out of his mind actually.

https://lakersdaily.com/source-lakers-will-attempt-to-trade-for-walker-kessler-again-during-2025-26-season/

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

Maybe. But most every team simply says “he’s not available. We like him and are building around him.” If the team chooses to wow you, then ok. But you don’t generally negotiate without the intent of trading a guy. And players know that.

I can't say with any degree of confidence what most every team does in these discussions, especially as many of the leaks we get come from second- or third-hand sources. Their first response could well have been "he's not available", as you suggest, but from the reporting it sounds like they've been asked about him over and over again. I compare it to how in my business I handled customers who would pester but just weren't worth the trouble; I raised their prices until they went away. Some might ask what's the point in giving a price to someone that you either don't want them to pay or is exorbitant enough to make it worthwhile, but I found it preferable to just saying "no bid". Everyone has their own way of dealing with these situations.

Bottom line... I'm not concerned by this at all, but I'm not going to assume that Kessler is.

[Scoot McGroot]

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

Maybe. But most every team simply says “he’s not available. We like him and are building around him.” If the team chooses to wow you, then ok. But you don’t generally negotiate without the intent of trading a guy. And players know that.

I can't say with any degree of confidence what most every team does in these discussions, especially as many of the leaks we get come from second- or third-hand sources. Their first response could well have been "he's not available", as you suggest, but from the reporting it sounds like they've been asked about him over and over again. I compare it to how in my business I handled customers who would pester but just weren't worth the trouble; I raised their prices until they went away. Some might ask what's the point in giving a price to someone that you either don't want them to pay or is exorbitant enough to make it worthwhile, but I found it preferable to just saying "no bid". Everyone has their own way of dealing with these situations.

Honestly, if it weren't Danny Ainge, and his long history of this, it would be different. But he shops guys. He denies it, but he's constantly shopping guys. If they're not his superstar, he's shopping them. And for his good value guys, he tries to drive value as if they're a superstar. If he wanted to, as you suggest, set the price super high to push people away, he wouldn't have said "Reaves and multiple 1sts". He would've said "Luka or Lebron" to get the point across that the guy is untouchable. He's trying to say "yeah, he's for sale, give me a great offer". And maybe he's happy to keep Kessler, as he was happy to keep Gordon Hayward in Boston, but he's also happy to trade him. And players and agents figure that out.

Bottom line... I'm not concerned by this at all, but I'm not going to assume that Kessler is.

Agreed. We shouldn't be concerned at all by it. We have no input. It's for player's and agent's to take to account.

[Devilanche]

Agreed. We shouldn't be concerned at all by it. We have no input. It's for player's and agent's to take to account.

Yeap . All it tells us is that Kessler isn’t getting an extension this season and he seemed to be fine with waiting for next season to get paid , whether that’s in Utah or elsewhere .

[HadAnEffectHere]

It doesn't say that the Jazz are trying to peddle Kessler to the Lakers, it says that the Lakers are going to make another attempt to acquire him. There is absolutely no issue with giving a suitor an incredibly high asking price if the intent is to keep him. Utah has no obligation to move him.

This was the outcome expected by all who closely followed what was going on with the team. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch over this.

Maybe. But most every team simply says “he’s not available. We like him and are building around him.” If the team chooses to wow you, then ok. But you don’t generally negotiate without the intent of trading a guy. And players know that.

I can't say with any degree of confidence what most every team does in these discussions, especially as many of the leaks we get come from second- or third-hand sources. Their first response could well have been "he's not available", as you suggest, but from the reporting it sounds like they've been asked about him over and over again. I compare it to how in my business I handled customers who would pester but just weren't worth the trouble; I raised their prices until they went away. Some might ask what's the point in giving a price to someone that you either don't want them to pay or is exorbitant enough to make it worthwhile, but I found it preferable to just saying "no bid". Everyone has their own way of dealing with these situations.

Bottom line... I'm not concerned by this at all, but I'm not going to assume that Kessler is.

I mean, if you don't think Walker is very valuable (and hence not worth a big contract), then keeping him over dealing him for assets is going to end up going very badly.

Again, we are literally going through this exact situation with Kuminga where the Warriors think he sucks and isn't worth much money and they are demanding tons of assets in return for him. It's just pissing off Kuminga and the rest of the league while sabotaging the Warriors' depth chart as they can't make more moves until the Kuminga situation is resolved.

The Walker situation is much worse as the Jazz had to get Walker to throw 8 games last season in probably the most embarrassing tank in NBA history. Asking him to be a good soldier and throw games after refusing to trade him to the Lakers... And then not having an extension signed under the table... That would be very strange to me.

Just trade him to the Lakers for those picks instead of asking him to go through another 2.5 years of tanking.

[parsnips33]

How many picks added to Malik Monk gets Derrick White? Or am I just dreaming?

[HadAnEffectHere]

How many picks added to Malik Monk gets Derrick White? Or am I just dreaming?

4-5

[parsnips33]

How many picks added to Malik Monk gets Derrick White? Or am I just dreaming?

4-5

[SkyHook]

I mean, if you don't think Walker is very valuable (and hence not worth a big contract), then keeping him over dealing him for assets is going to end up going very badly.

Again... "The Jazz know this and, according to sources, highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future."

Again, we are literally going through this exact situation with Kuminga where the Warriors think he sucks and isn't worth much money and they are demanding tons of assets in return for him. It's just pissing off Kuminga and the rest of the league while sabotaging the Warriors' depth chart as they can't make more moves until the Kuminga situation is resolved.

The two situations are distinct from one another. I don't know that the Dubs think Kuminga sucks, but the Jazz certainly don't think that with Kessler. And unless you're part of Kessler's inner circle, you have no idea if he's pissed off.

The Walker situation is much worse as the Jazz had to get Walker to throw 8 games last season in probably the most embarrassing tank in NBA history. Asking him to be a good soldier and throw games after refusing to trade him to the Lakers... And then not having an extension signed under the table... That would be very strange to me.

I would suggest setting aside this scenario that you have created out of whole cloth. Before this off season you spouted—without proof—that he and the Jazz obviously had an agreement to give him his max based on him "being a good soldier". imaginary nonsense. The Jazz can sit him at any time without his (or the league's) consent as part of their draft strategy.

Not having the extension done now is as much or more about timing—Utah's plan for their cap space next off season—as anything else. If Kessler wanted to sign an extension starting at his cap hold number, I'm sure that's available now; that obviously doesn't make sense for him. I suspect that the two sides have discussed a theoretical framework for next summer (without coming to an actual deal). Who knows how far apart they may be.

Just trade him to the Lakers for those picks instead of asking him to go through another 2.5 years of tanking.

No. Utah has no obligation to trade him to the Lakers or elsewhere. He fits with the Jazz.

[Scoot McGroot]

Agreed. We shouldn't be concerned at all by it. We have no input. It's for player's and agent's to take to account.

Yeap . All it tells us is that Kessler isn’t getting an extension this season and he seemed to be fine with waiting for next season to get paid , whether that’s in Utah or elsewhere .

And for us on this forum, that he won't be poison pill, or anything of the sort.

[Scoot McGroot]

Again... "The Jazz know this and, according to sources, highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future."

Maybe. But if so, we shouldn't hear a single report of "Ainge is asking for..." this entire season.

It may be more likely of Utah really likes him, thinks he's good, but aren't sure of his long-term fit on the roster, and unwilling to lock in a long-term contract at this time.

[HadAnEffectHere]

Walker does not fit with the Jazz at all, lol. Hardy's defense is basically the exact opposite of what you would want to do with Walker, hence why the Jazz have had zero defensive success with him. You would want to funnel guys to the paint, but Hardy wants to surrender above the break threes to not get to the paint.

Again, this just feels like Kuminga if the Jazz don't actually have an under the table deal set up.

[SkyHook]

Again... "The Jazz know this and, according to sources, highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future."

Maybe. But if so, we shouldn't hear a single report of "Ainge is asking for..." this entire season.

It may be more likely of Utah really likes him, thinks he's good, but aren't sure of his long-term fit on the roster, and unwilling to lock in a long-term contract at this time.

No one has to take any reporting at face value. Spin is real and leakers leak to shills like Woj/Shams for their own benefit. I expect that we'll still get "X is asking for..." reports for as long as teams continue to pursue X's players.

There are lots of may be scenarios. The one you suggest is certainly reasonable.

[Scoot McGroot]

Again... "The Jazz know this and, according to sources, highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future."

Maybe. But if so, we shouldn't hear a single report of "Ainge is asking for..." this entire season.

It may be more likely of Utah really likes him, thinks he's good, but aren't sure of his long-term fit on the roster, and unwilling to lock in a long-term contract at this time.

No one has to take any reporting at face value. Spin is real and leakers leak to shills like Woj/Shams for their own benefit. I expect that we'll still get "X is asking for..." reports for as long as teams continue to pursue X's players.

There are lots of may be scenarios. The one you suggest is certainly reasonable.

I think reports framed “rival executives believe…” should pop up no matter what. But reports that specifically say “Ainge is asking for…” are usually different?

[Devilanche]

Not sure if it has been shared.
Giddey deal seems to be flat 25m

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/09/26/josh-giddey-c-details/#

[Mavrelous]

Not sure if it has been shared.
Giddey deal seems to be flat 25m

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/09/26/josh-giddey-c-details/#

Smart choice IMO

[Mavrelous]

Read on Twitter

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I think they are certain now they have enough space below the Apron to sign Kuminga if need be.

[giberish]

Read on Twitter

?t=TX9CTD8AfSxLb1RvZHbYug&s=19


I think they are certain now they have enough space below the Apron to sign Kuminga if need be.

Should have been done 2 months ago. There was never a scenario where GS wouldn't be able to do this. They weren't accepting a S&T deal that hard-capped them at the 1st apron and they had enough room under the 2nd for any sane JK deal (and no other team could offer $30M or something like that on a straight offer sheet).