Pacers interest in Kessler- what do we want?

[jazznik]

The Pacers are much better than they record indicates: even with the players they have healthy right now they are clearly better than all tanking and struggling teams. Indiana went 5-5 in the last 10 games because they easily defeated each bad team they faced (Charlotte, Chicago twice, Sacramento and Washington). And they will be getting two more good players back in the coming weeks.

If the Pacers trade us their pick and have no reason to tank (and, by the way, Indiana has a well-established no-tanking culture in the first place) then they will finish above at least 5 teams in the East and, most likely, 5 teams in the West. The best scenario is that the Jazz will get the 11th pick. But wait, there is more: the Pacers will finish as a play-in team, above Chicago and Milwaukee. And Indiana is a well-coached and experienced team, so they have a good chance of sneaking in the playoffs. So, the worst case scenario for the Jazz would be 15th/16th pick.

Now, do we think that the 11th or 15th pick will get us a better player than Kessler? And yes, the 11th pick will also give the Jazz the 7% chance of jumping into the top-4. I think it is a bad gamble for the Jazz even without any protection put on the 2026 pick.

 

[cctrackstar]

who do we want? kessler of course. i mean, if someone wants my motorbike, that's because it's a great bike.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

who do we want? kessler of course. i mean, if someone wants my motorbike, that's because it's a great bike.

Or it's a meh bike but the buyer is dumb.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

I would ideally ask for their '26 FRP with limited protection (top 4 protected).

I’m not sure I’m interested in anything they have. The 27 pick and beyond will probably be mid to high 20’s. I’m not all that interested in Mathurin

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Where is the origin of the interest? I havent seen it.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Where is the origin of the interest? I havent seen it.

It's quite literally linked for you in the OP

 

[homeytennis]

They can trade us back the legendary Tony Bradley and Jay Huff.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

It's quite literally linked for you in the OP

Thanks. Not sure how I missed that.

I searched more and noted that they are interested in a BUNCH of centers. The only thing I noticed that was interesting is that they have consistently asked about Walker. But clearly they are interested in acquiring "A big man". I dont think they will give up the world for Kessler unless he is significantly higher on their chart than other options.

 

[baka98]

I feel like Kessler comes up anytime someone wants/needs a center. It's lazy reporting at this point.

 

[jazznik]

Unfortunately for Walker, his value to other teams markedly declined in the last 12 months. The league is suddenly chock full of good young centers. Edey, Clingan, Ware, Missi, Queen, Kalkbrenner... And what's worse, many of these centers ended up playing for bad teams with a lot of cap space/picks.

How many teams are still desperate for centers and have enough to get Walker? Washington, Indiana, Chicago? And a bunch of good centers will be free agents this summer: Duren, Porzingis, Ayton, Mark Williams. Finally, there is a decent chance that Sacramento or LAC decide to blow the team up and trade Sabonis and/or Zubac for assets.