Walker Kessler’s big game — against Minnesota, no less — may have just given Wolves fans another reason to sulk.
An absolute robbery might have taken place back in the 2022 offseason.
Sixth months after the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a total of four first-round picks for Rudy Gobert, the winner of the trade is becoming more evident.
In the Jazz’s 126-125 victory over the Wolves on Tuesday, Minnesota fans saw the player that was once in their hands, but let go of in that trade.
That player is Walker Kessler, who had a standout performance after tallying 20 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks — a Rudy Gobert-like performance.
As the de-facto starting center for the Jazz, fans have been comparing Kessler to Gobert all season long. After all, the kid is a 7-footer who has shown that he's got what it takes to anchor a good defense.
The major difference? Kessler is only 21 years old and is just in his first year in the league. The Auburn alum is also averaging more blocks than Gobert this season.
This 2022-2023 season, Gobert has been averaging 13.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks on 30.5 minutes. Kessler, on the other hand, has been putting up 7.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in just 19.8 minutes.
Even Jordan Clarkson knows that the 22nd overall pick is something special.
The Jazz, who came into the season with lower expectations after trading Gobert alongside franchise player Donovan Mitchell, are 8th in the West standings with a 23-24 record. They even vaulted to the top of the standings in the first few weeks of the regular season after a hot start.
Utah has a better record than Minnesota, who sit right below them with a 22-23 record. Ninth spot is still good for a play-in spot, but some may say the standings is also an indication of who won the trade. Given all that, it may still be too early to call it.
Who do you think got the edge in the Jazz-Wolves swap?