Though they don't have Walker Kessler, the Utah Jazz are far from floundering.
Now that the Utah Jazz's regular season schedule is laid out in front of them, the path to the franchise's first playoff run in years is clearly charted out.
It's been a long time coming, but this year, the Jazz actually plan to be competitive with the top half of the Western Conference standings, rather than participating in a nose-dive competition with the bottom half, where losses are wins and wins are incredible disappointments.
They grabbed Kansas' star guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick and hope he can develop into the superstar face of their future championship roster. They added all-star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis at the trade deadline in a move that delivers defensive fortitude and offensive versatility. They return core piece Lauri Markkanen, blossoming point guard Keyonte George, and exciting young wing Ace Bailey to round out one of the most fascinating young cores in the entire NBA.
But it came at the cost of losing defensive anchor Walker Kessler to Los Angeles, leaving Will Hardy with a gut-check personnel decision. Should he slide Jackson from the 4 to the 5, or roll out Jusuf Nurkic to fill the gap?
According to recent reports, the Jazz don't view either option as a long-term solution -- and I wouldn't count on a Mo Bamba renaissance, either.
"Finding a long-term solution at center will be a priority for the [Utah] front office," Reported ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "But it will probably require some patience. The Jazz will keep an eye on the trade market, and at some point, they’ll likely use some of the draft capital acquired in the Kessler sign-and-trade to target his replacement."
ESPN praised the Jazz for the yield obtained from dealing Kessler. Essentially four first-round picks from the Lakers is prime draft capital, as many view the Lakers as a perpetually ticking time bomb -- always one bad offseason away from completely self-destructing. Naturally, reaping the benefits of that team's draft future could be very advantageous.
The Jazz won't have to sign Kessler to an outrageous contract, and now they remain in a position of flexibility.
Jaren Jackson Jr., though not a great rebounder for his position, is a terrific rim protector and has thrived at the center position for much of his career -- winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award as a center and providing elite interior defense with Memphis.
Still, I can understand ESPN's hesitancy to proclaim the Jazz total winners in the Kessler exchange. While it would be wise to pursue a great, starting-level center in Utah, Jackson will more than cover the gap in the meantime. The Jazz will be just fine.
