Jazz Center Linked to Knicks

The New York Knicks are once again coming up in trade rumors with the Utah Jazz.
Jan 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) secures the ball after a rebound during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) secures the ball after a rebound during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are counting down the days until the trade deadline, and they could benefit from an upgrade or two on the roster.

The position that needs the most fixing is the center position that still doesn't have a reliable backup healthy. Mitchell Robinson is gearing closer to a return from his offseason ankle injury, but the fact that he hasn't played a single minute this season shouldn't help the Knicks feel very confident.

Fadeaway World writer Eddie Bitar suggests a trade that would send Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler to the Knicks for Tyler Kolek, a 2026 First-Round Pick Swap (NYK), a 2025 Second-Round Pick (BOS/MEM), a 2026 Second-Round Pick (GSW), a 2027 Second-Round Pick (MIN), and a 2028 Second-Round Pick (IND/PHX).

"Adding Walker Kessler to the Knicks solidifies their frontcourt with a defensive anchor. Kessler, averaging 2.7 blocks per game and shooting 60% from the field, gives New York an elite rim protector and lob threat to pair with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns," Bitar writes. 

"His presence would bolster the Knicks’ already strong defensive identity and unlock additional spacing on offense by allowing Towns to play even more freely. The Knicks have seemingly given up on Mitchell Robinson, a center who has yet to play a game this season and there needs to be depth at center for a team with title expectations."

The plan for the Knicks is to hope Robinson is healthy, but that wouldn't be taking matters into their own hands. When it was clear that the Knicks wouldn't have a center in the upcoming season, they traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and shook up the core of the team.

Now, with Towns also facing a thumb injury, a trade may be more necessary than before, and they may have to find an unconventional method to do that.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.