Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Knicks. He will hope to return to the lineup after missing six games. John Collins has started alongside Kyle Filipowski (ankle) during Kessler's absence, but the two might now share the frontcourt, as Filipowski has been ruled out for Saturday's contest. If Kessler is not ready to return, Drew Eubanks and Brice Sensabaugh will take on larger roles, with one of them likely starting. However, the Knicks own outstanding defensive numbers against opposing frontcourts, so this isn't a good matchup for Utah's big men.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will remain sidelined for Thursday's matchup against San Antonio. He has been ruled out for a sixth consecutive game due to right hip bursitis. John Collins will continue to start for Utah, with Kyle Filipowski also picking up extra work. Victor Wembanyama's (knee) presence typically makes meetings with the Spurs very uncomfortable for opposing bigs, but the French sensation is currently nursing an injury. This boosts Collins' and Filipowski's chances of having a good night in the matchup.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will sit out a fifth consecutive game on Tuesday versus the Lakers. He has missed a week of action with a hip problem, and it's not fully clear when Kessler will be able to make a comeback. His injury has allowed John Collins to put together a strong stretch, while Kyle Filipowski also benefits from his absence. The two are in a strong position to continue their recent success on Tuesday, as the Lakers are ranked 26th in defensive efficiency and 23rd in rebounding rate.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will remain on the shelf for Sunday's clash with the Clippers. He continues to nurse a hip problem. With him out, the stage is set for John Collins to go off for another big game. He's notched 24.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals since replacing Kessler in the starting unit. Rookie Kyle Filipowski has also stepped up recently and deserves attention from fantasy managers. He has averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in the games Kessler has missed.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) remains out for Saturday's contest against the Sacramento Kings. The 23-year-old has averaged only 9.2 points this season, which isn't surprising. However, category managers have at least appreciated his career-high 10.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest. Hopefully, Kessler's absence won't extend beyond three games. But in the meantime, the red-hot John Collins, averaging 18.1 points during the 2024-25 campaign, is a must-start, especially if Lauri Markkanen (eye), who is questionable, doesn't get on the floor.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday versus Dallas. The seven-foot-one giant has a problem with his right hip. Kessler's fantasy value has received a boost this season after he was reinserted into the starting lineup. He's been close to averaging a double-double, notching 9.2 points and 10.7 rebounds with 2.8 blocks. In his absence, John Collins was back among the starters on Tuesday and looks set for a larger role again. He produced a very juicy line a couple of nights back against Phoenix, scoring a team-high 29 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Phoenix Suns. He's dealing with hip soreness, so he'll miss his first game of the 2024-25 campaign. The 23-year-old has averaged only 9.2 points this season. However, he's logged career-highs in rebounds (10.7) and blocks (2.8). Without him, John Collins and Drew Eubanks should split time in the middle, with both men potentially getting involved enough to surpass fantasy expectations, especially if Phoenix is without Jusuf Nurkic (ankle).
Jazz Asking For Two First-Round Picks For Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is back in trade discussions as the young big man heads into the third season of his career. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the Jazz are seeking at least two first-round picks in exchange for Kessler. With two first-rounders as a starting price, the trade discussions haven't seemed to get too far. The New York Knicks were one of the teams that had some serious interest until they made an "all-in" move when they traded for Karl-Anthony Towns. Outside of the Knicks, the phone lines have been pretty dry. On unofficial depth charts, Kessler is listed as the first center off of the bench, but the Jazz drafted Kyle Filipowski and added Drew Eubanks in the off-season.
Tony Jones of The Athletic reports that Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler beefed up to 272 pounds after weighing 245 last season. Starting in 40 games in 2022-23, the 23-year-old made only 22 starts in last year's campaign. A bulkier Kessler will again have to compete for playing time, with the Jazz having a deep frontcourt as Lauri Markkanen and John Collins will command most of the starter minutes. The young center will likely not be a fantasy factor for the 2024-25 season.
Jazz Still Seeking Multiple Picks For Walker Kessler
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Utah Jazz are seeking two first-round picks for center Walker Kessler. The 23-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks as a rookie. He also shot 72.0% from the field. However, outside of Kessler's statistical contributions as a shot-blocker, his production regressed while being limited to just 22 appearances in the starting lineup. At this point, there's a chance Kessler remains on the team, at least to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, with John Collins, Drew Eubanks, and 2024 No. 32 overall pick Kyle Filipowski on the roster, Kessler doesn't have a clear path to playing time, significantly decreasing his fantasy value.
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