Walker Kessler drops 22 points, nine ‘stocks’

With the Warriors starting Draymond Green at center, Walker Kessler got whatever he wanted in the paint with plenty of wide-open dunks. His stat line is more about the Warriors than it is about Kessler, but Walker took advantage of the situation, and you’re feeling very happy about his performance.

With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) sidelined, the Warriors will have to rely on Draymond Green and Al Horford at center, offering rookie Yaxel Lendeborg the opportunity to see significant minutes right out of the gate. On the other side of the court, Walker Kessler could be in for a huge night against Golden State’s shorthanded and undersized frontcourt rotation.

Suiting up for the first time as a Laker, Kessler was able to produce at a high level in just 16 minutes. He was able to showcase his fantasy appeal, even with Luka Dončić getting a rest night. That pick-and-roll duo should be excellent for fantasy managers, and Kessler has a chance to finally cash in on the fantasy potential that he showcased during his first two seasons.

During Lakers media day, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said Kessler is “fully healthy and cleared” to resume all basketball activities. After undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last year, Kessler should enter training camp without restrictions and appears on track to be available for the start of the season. The 24-year-old center spent the first four years of his career with the Utah Jazz, and is expected to have a large role in Los Angeles.

The unprotected picks the Jazz will receive are in 2031 and 2033 and the pick swaps are in 2028 and 2030. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million extension with the Lakers. Los Angeles had been talking with Pistons center Jalen Duren about acquiring him in a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers took action here in completing the deal for Kessler. The 24-year-old center spent the first four years of his career with the Jazz, averaging 9.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. He’s the big winner from this trade from a fantasy perspective if he can stay healthy. The Lakers are now hard capped to the first apron and have no first-round picks to trade.

While he appeared in just 41 games last season, Nurkić fit well within Jazz head coach Will Hardy’s system when available. The veteran center averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 50.3 percent from the field. How impactful he’ll be next season depends on what happens with Walker Kessler, who is a restricted free agent. If Kessler returns, Nurkić will come off the bench, which lowers his fantasy ceiling.

Two days after The Athletic reported that Kessler was frustrated with the Jazz front office as free agency approaches, more details emerged regarding the contract offered by Utah. According to MacMahon, Utah proposed an offer worth close to $140 million over five years. However, while this would be the most lucrative contract ever given to a center who had yet to make an All-Star team, there are still hard feelings between Kessler and the Jazz front office. In Monday’s report, Kessler not receiving an extension before the start of the 2025-26 season was cited as a factor, and it’s another issue the two sides will need to work through if they want to move forward as partners.

Kessler, limited to five games this season after suffering a shoulder injury, will be a restricted free agent on June 30. While the Jazz can match any offer sheet that Kessler agrees to, they can also negotiate with the center before he hits the open market. However, according to Amick’s reporting, Kessler is not pleased with the franchise essentially leveraging his pending restricted free agency against the 7-footer. As a result, he’s reportedly more willing to consider the idea of playing elsewhere. Given the need for rim protectors, there will be a market for Kessler at the end of the month. After not offering him an extension last fall, the Jazz seem content to see what Kessler’s price will be before deciding on his future with the franchise, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on large contracts. Wherever he plays next season, a healthy Kessler has top-50 fantasy potential, especially for those willing to punt free-throw percentage.

The veteran center will return from a one-game absence to face the Knicks on Friday. He’s served as Utah’s starting center since Walker Kessler (shoulder) was lost for the season. Nurkić isn’t a high-end fantasy option but has double-double capabilities on a nightly basis. His return could send Kyle Filipowski back to the bench.

Nurkić flirted with a double-double for the second straight game against the Rockets. On the second night of a back-to-back, he was productive inside the arc as a scorer and set a new season-high in points before fouling out of the contest. Nurkic has filled in the starting unit nicely in place of the injured Walker Kessler (shoulder). He’s got double-double potential on a nightly basis in this new role.