NBA Trade Idea Sends Elite Defensive Center to Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have only made marginal additions to their roster this summer, failing to acquire an established co-star for Steph Curry.

While the Warriors have made some solid moves, and could compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, they are far from championship contention. As they await the right opportunity to deal for a high-level second option next to Curry, the Warriors could stand to improve their center rotation.

Trayce Jackson-Davis started 16 games at center for the Warriors last season, appearing in 68 total as a rookie. The emergence of Jackson-Davis significantly reduced Kevon Looney's role, which led to his consecutive games played streak ending.

Kevon Looney’s streak of 254 consecutive games played snapped last week. It meant a lot to his career and included some of the biggest rebounding games in Warriors history.

Spoke to Looney about it. https://t.co/TFR861NdzH
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2024

The Warriors guaranteed Looney's $8M contract for next season, but if the team trades him or does not plan to feature him much in the rotation, another center will likely be needed.

In a recent article, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus reported that Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has been involved in different trade discussions.

"Per multiple sources, Utah has discussed Kessler previously in trade, including a stalled conversation with the New York Knicks," Pincus wrote. "He doesn't seem part of the team's long-term plan..."

No shortage of Content Kessler this season 😂🫶🤠#TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/0bpaxTD6CX
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 25, 2024

A previous Bleacher Report article proposed a hypothetical Kessler to Golden State trade, and that looks more relevant in light of this recent report.

Warriors receive: Walker Kessler

Jazz receive: Moses Moody and a 2026 first-round pick (top-seven-protected)

Feb 12, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) blocks the shot of Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the second half at Delta Center. | Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Kessler is an elite defensive center who could really help a Warriors team that ranked 15th in defense last season and 20th in field goal percentage allowed within six feet.

Among all players who defended at least 400 shots within six feet of the basket last season, Kessler ranked third in defensive field goal percentage (51.0). Only Rudy Gobert and Kristaps Porzingis ranked higher than Kessler last season in this category (per the NBA's data).

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