Walker Kessler News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Ruled out for Tuesday Kessler won't play Tuesday against the Suns due to right hip soreness.

Impact Kessler will miss his first game of the campaign Tuesday. There are no reports regarding the severity of the issue, but fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that he's day-to-day until more information is known. With Kessler out of the lineup, John Collins and Drew Eubanks could be more involved for the Jazz.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs career-high 16 rebounds Kessler finished with 12 points (6-7 FG, 0-2 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 32 minutes during Monday's 135-126 victory over the Bulls.

Impact The 16 boards were Kessler's career high, surpassing the mark of 15 he set last season -- ironically, also in Chicago in November. After struggling with consistency through Utah's first four games, Kessler has found his groove with back-to-back double-doubles, totaling 30 points, 30 rebounds, nine blocks and two assists while missing just two shots from the field. Kessler's numbers could take a hit when Lauri Markkanen (back) returns, but fantasy managers are getting what they wanted out of Kessler as a whole thus far if they drafted him in season-long formats.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient double-double Kessler produced 18 points (5-6 FG, 8-12 FT), 14 rebounds and five blocks across 29 minutes during Saturday's 129-103 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Kessler notched his third double-double of the season and delivered an efficient showing from the field. Even though fantasy managers could use a bit more consistency from Kessler's scoring numbers on a game-to-game basis, the third-year big man has started the campaign on a strong note. Kessler is averaging 9.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest while recording three double-doubles across six contests.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Insider Reveals Lakers' Potential Trade Offer for Jazz's Walker Kessler What could the Los Angeles Lakers offer up for the young Utah Jazz center?

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • SI.COM

Strong two-way output Monday Kessler finished with 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 110-102 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact Kessler was limited to just two points in the blowout loss to the Warriors on Oct. 25, but other than that, the big man has been excellent to start the season with two double-doubles in three starts. He remains an impactful player on defense as well, racking up eight blocks and three steals in those three contests.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs nine boards vs. Golden State Kessler totaled two points (1-1 FG), nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 20 minutes during Friday's 127-86 loss to the Warriors.

Impact Kessler was the Jazz's leading rebounder Friday, though that was about all he did in a blowout loss. Kessler had just one shot attempt and won't likely see many field-goal tries while playing alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Keyonte George. However, Kessler will provide plenty of value on the defensive end of the floor, highlighted by his 2.4 blocks per across just 23.3 minutes per game over 64 regular-season outings (22 starts) during the 2023-24 campaign.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent two-way display Kessler had 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 126-124 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Kessler was extremely efficient Wednesday and delivered a strong effort on both ends of the court, though his 14 boards and five blocks certainly stood out. He looked dominant regardless of whether he was matched against Zach Edey or Jay Huff, and he should be a regular double-double threat as long as he remains the starting center for the Jazz. All signs point to that being the case, though.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Team option exercised The Jazz exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option on Kessler's contract Monday.

Impact Kessler is now under contract through the 2025-26 season. After starting 40 games as a rookie, the big man made only 22 starts last year. He operated as a starter during the preseason, so an expanded role in Year 3 is possible, though it remains unclear if coach Will Hardy will let Kessler play 25-plus minutes a night consistently.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jazz HC Will Hardy Seeing 'Great' Preseason Start for Walker Kessler The Utah Jazz head coach sounded off on his third-year center.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • SI.COM

Grabs 15 rebounds Thursday Kessler finished with nine points (4-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 15 rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks across 24 minutes in Thursday's 107-102 preseason win over the Mavericks.

Impact Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George (knee) and even John Collins delivered solid performances on the offensive end of the court, but Kessler made his presence felt defensively and on the glass, two areas in which he already stands out. It's unclear if Kessler will open the 2024-25 regular season as the starting center for the Jazz, but if that's the case, he'll add some much-needed size and rim protection to a towering Utah lineup that should also feature Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the first unit.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Houston Kessler is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler drew the start in Utah's preseason opener against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, and the 23-year-old will do so again Monday. He'll join Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the Jazz's starting five, with John Collins presumably coming off the bench.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Walker Kessler ready to give a better performance for Utah Jazz After earning rookie accolades, the former Auburn standout ran into an injury issue in his second NBA season.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • AL.COM

Will play with starters in camp Coach Will Hardy said Tuesday he anticipates Kessler playing a lot with the starters during the preseason, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Impact After starting 40 games in 2022-23, Kessler made only 22 starts last year. Hardy was far from committal about Kessler being a starter to begin the 2024-25 campaign, but it does sound like the youngster will at least get a chance to compete for the top spot. The Jazz have a deep frontcourt with a solid mix of prospects and veteran players, but it's unclear how the playing time will be sorted out. For now, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are the only guys guaranteed starter minutes.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could Knicks Trade for Walker Kessler? The New York Knicks could get some center depth in a trade with the Utah Jazz.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Jazz, Knicks discussed Walker Kessler trade Per multiple sources, Utah has discussed Walker Kessler previously in trade, including a stalled conversation with the New York Knicks. He d...

AUGUST 23, 2024 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Won't play Tuesday Kessler (rest) will not play in Tuesday's Salt Lake City Summer League matchup versus the Thunder, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.

Impact Kessler tallied 10 points, six rebounds, a game-high five blocks, two assists and two steals in Monday's Summer League win over the Grizzlies. However, the third-year professional will sit out of Tuesday's matchup, allowing the Jazz to get a better look at their rookie class of Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski. Kessler's next chance to play will come Wednesday against the 76ers.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play in Summer League The Jazz plan to have Kessler (nose) participate in the 2024 NBA Summer League, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Impact After a nice rookie season in 2022-23 in which Kessler started his final 34 appearances, he was selected in the early-to-mid rounds of most fantasy leagues this season. Managers that did so were disappointed. The center's points (8.1) and rebounds (7.5) per game decreased, as did his field-goal percentage (65.4). He also started just 22 games and crossed the 30-minute threshold only eight times. While the Jazz also had interest in developing other bigs like John Collins and Taylor Hendricks, plus giving minutes to Kelly Olynyk before trading him to Toronto, Kessler's role gave the impression that he wasn't impressing coach Will Hardy. The organization seems to believe it would be best for Kessler to get more development minutes this summer.

APRIL 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Sunday Kessler (nose) will not play Sunday against the Warriors.

Impact Kessler will end up missing the final six games of the campaign. After a breakout rookie season in 2022-23, Kessler couldn't really build on that momentum in 2023-24. He finished the season with averages of 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 23.3 minutes across 64 appearances.

APRIL 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Friday Kessler (nose) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Clippers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler continues to deal with a nasal fracture and will be unavailable for a fifth consecutive matchup. His final chance to return during the regular season will be Sunday against Golden State.

APRIL 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another absence coming Kessler (nose) is out for Thursday's game versus the Rockets, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.

Impact Kessler will miss his fourth straight contest Thursday due to a nasal fracture. Omer Yurtseven should receive another start in his absence.

APRIL 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Tuesday Kessler (nose) won't play Tuesday against the Nuggets, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Kessler will miss his third straight contest since suffering a broken nose. Omer Yurtseven should be in line for another start at center with John Collins (back) also out.

APRIL 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing vs. Warriors Kessler (nose) is out for Sunday's game against the Warriors, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler suffered a nasal fracture in Tuesday's 129-113 loss to the Cavaliers, and the Jazz are not going to risk him in the final games of the season, especially considering the team has nothing to play for. This means Omer Yurtseven is expected to remain in the starting lineup Friday, while Kessler's next chance to play will come against the Nuggets on Tuesday.

APRIL 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Friday Kessler (nose) will not play Friday against the Clippers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler suffered a nasal fracture Tuesday against the Cavaliers, but the Jazz will continue to monitor him closely for the swelling and inflammation. For now, Kessler can be considered questionable for Sunday against the Warriors. In the meantime, Omer Yurtseven could step into a larger role with John Collins (back) also sidelined.

APRIL 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for remainder of game Kessler won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Cavaliers due to a nasal fracture. He will end the contest with six points (3-3 FG), one assist and one block in nine minutes.

Impact Kessler left Tuesday's contest with 5:22 remaining in the second quarter after being hit in the face and has been ruled out for the remainder of the game. Omer Yurtseven will likely receive increased playing time in his absence. Kessler's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Clippers.

APRIL 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

The Triple Team: Jazz have allowed the most threes in the NBA. Why? It's a strategy thing — one I feel a little uncomfortable with. Plus, notes on Walker Kessler's passing and Brice Sensabaugh's 3-point game.

APRIL 1, 2024 • SLTRIB.COM

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