Throughout the postseason, it was clear the Toronto Raptors needed an upgrade at the starting center spot.
Despite the massive payday, Jakob Poeltl doesn’t look like a starting big man in the league at this point in his career, as his feet move too slowly and he has been dealing with constant health issues. But for Bobby Webster and the Raptors front office, Sam Amick of The Athletic's latest report regarding Utah big Walker Kessler is a godsend for Toronto.
Amick reported that Kessler is upset with the way the Jazz have handled him and his future as he enters free agency. Kessler is a restricted free agent this summer, and Utah could use Kessler's restricted free-agent status as leverage to shrink his market.
This could allow Toronto to pursue a sign-and-trade for the coveted rim-protecting big man this summer. For some time, it’s been known that Kessler believes he should be in the $25-$30 million annual range, dating back to failed extension talks last offseason.
If Utah isn’t willing to pay him, swapping him for RJ Barrett on a one-year deal could be a possibility that gives them a day-one contributor and puts the Kessler era to bed.
Kessler could be the Raptors' answer at center
I’ve made it clear before that, with Barrett coming off the playoff run he went on, he is the player that Toronto could get the most value for. He hit a game-winner, averaged 24.1 points per game, and shot 38.6 percent from three. Those aren’t normal numbers for Barrett, but could be enough to intrigue a Jazz team that signaled they are trying to end their rebuild at last trade deadline when they acquired Jaren Jackson Jr.Â
Considering that it was reported yesterday that Darryn Peterson has no interest in joining the Jazz, it appears more likely than ever that Cam Boozer could be their pick at No. 2. In my mind, Utah adding another frontcourt player paired with Kessler being unhappy only adds to why they would be looking to get rid of the former Auburn center.
Now, to some, Barrett in Utah is a weird fit, but when you think about it, he could be a good rental to fill the role Ace Bailey is probably not ready for this upcoming season. Be that off-ball scorer who can catch-and-shoot, dribble, compete defensively, and take over offensively if someone is struggling.
From a trade standpoint, if Utah is looking to win and move Kessler, I think a deal like this makes complete sense. In terms of a fit with Kessler in Toronto, he is the type of monster center they need at 7-foot-2 and 245 pounds.
In the five games he played before a season-ending shoulder surgery, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 70.3 percent from the field. His ability to close possessions at an elite rate, with strong box-out presence and rebounding awareness and talent, is something he has never had before.
Setting him between Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles would shut down all paint points for opposing teams—there’s zero defensive weakness between those three.
Out of the possible center options this summer, Kessler has moved his way to the top of the list following Amick’s report. Bobby Webster could realistically kill two birds with one stone by trading RJ and addressing the center need with a 24-year-old big man who fits the timeline and is elite defensively.
Add us as a preferred source on Google