The New York Knicks reportedly made “multiple trade runs” at former first-round Walker Kessler before trading for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Kessler, who is with the Utah Jazz, was a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and could have helped the Knicks replace center Isaiah Hartenstein, who left the franchise for the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
“Before coming to terms on a blockbuster swap with Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns mere days before the start of training camp, New York made multiple trade runs at Utah’s Walker Kessler to fill its well-chronicled void at center, league sources say,” NBA insider Marc Stein wrote.
“It is believed that Utah wanted at least two future first-round picks for Kessler … after the Knicks had exhausted much of their remaining cache of draft picks in the trade with Brooklyn for [Mikal] Bridges.
“New York’s desire to acquire a front-line center only grew as the offseason wore on after Isaiah Hartenstein left for Oklahoma City in free agency and with Mitchell Robinson recovering slower than expected from ankle surgery. The Knicks have provided no firm timetable on Robinson’s recovery timetable but it is presumed that he is likely sidelined until at least December.”
New York instead made a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sending forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo as part of a package for Towns. The former No. 1 overall pick joins a core that features All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson, Bridges, O.G. Anunoby and Josh Hart.
Kessler would have been an interesting fit in New York, as he made an All-Rookie team in the 2022-23 season. However, Kessler saw his role take a bit of a hit last season with the Jazz bringing in big man John Collins in a trade.
Kessler started just 22 games in the 2023-24 season (he started 40 as a rookie) and played 23.3 minutes per game. The former first-round pick averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for Utah.
A talented shot blocker, Kessler averages 2.4 blocks per game for his career and could have been a solid option to replace Robinson in the lineup for the Knicks had the two teams come to terms on a deal.
With Robinson sidelined, the Knicks will likely use Towns, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims at the center spot to open this season. Hopefully, Towns will stay healthy and give the Knicks the floor spacing that they lacked last season from that position.
Instead, the Knicks will move forward with Towns as the star paired with Brunson. New York was the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, and it’ll look to make a run at a top seed in the East again when the 2024-25 regular season kicks off later this month.
