The Knicks have built a great team during the offseason, but a glaring hole still remains.
Mitchell Robinson is a solid starting center. Behind him, Jericho Sims may not be ready for full backup minutes and Isaiah Hartenstein is off the team. New York needs more depth at backup center.
One option that the Knicks have explored is talented Jazz center Walker Kessler, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Utah would be seeking at least a first-round pick, according to Begley.
Here’s how a Kessler to Knicks deal could happen.
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Walker Kessler contract details
Kessler will earn $3.0 million in the upcoming season and has a $4.9 million team option in 2025-26. He is set to be a restricted free agent in 2026, giving whichever team he is on the option of matching an offer sheet to retain him.
| Season | Salary |
| 2024-25 | $2,965,920 |
| 2025-26 | $4,878,938 (TO) |
The perfect Walker Kessler to Knicks trade
The trade
Knicks get:
Jazz get:
- Jericho Sims
- 2025 first-round pick via Pistons (top-13 protected)
- 2025 second-round pick via Nets
Why the Knicks say yes
Kessler is one of the best backup big men in the league and is capable of spot starting in a similar role to what Hartenstein provided last season. The No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft finished third in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 2.3 blocks in only 23.0 minutes per game.
Kessler maintained that elite rim protection in his second season, hitting 2.4 blocks per game. At 7 feet and 245 pounds, he is one of the best rim protectors in the league. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau loves playing those types of defensive-minded centers.
Kessler isn’t close to the passer that Hartenstein was. He’s not a shooting threat, but he is very good around the rim. He’s also a great offensive rebounder, which is another way in which he fits the style that Thibodeau likes to play.
There’s still a gap between the Knicks and Celtics. This covers the biggest hole on the team, and it’s the type of move that championship teams make to get over the hump. Kessler is one of the best options out there, and he’s very cheap over the next two seasons. That is important for New York as it hovers very close to the first apron.
The Knicks wouldn’t have to give up a rotation player to make this move happen. They’d still have access to their taxpayer mid-level exception as well, allowing them to potentially re-sign Precious Achiuwa for even more depth or target some of the other free agents still out there such as Paul Reed or old friend Taj Gibson.
The Knicks would retain some draft capital to make some smaller additional moves down the line. They still have a 2025 first-round pick from the Wizards that probably won’t convey, swap rights on other first-rounders and several second-rounders that they could move.
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Why the Jazz say yes
Kessler is a good player but for whatever reason hasn’t earned the trust of Jazz coach Will Hardy. He played just 23.3 minutes per game in his second season. If the team doesn’t believe in his long-term potential, now would be the time to trade him.
The Pistons’ pick probably won’t convey in 2025, but it might land in the early teens over the next few years as the protections drop on it. The Nets pick will convey, and it will be near the top of the second round, making it essentially like a late first-rounder.
This trade will also help the Jazz improve their own pick, which seems to be a goal of theirs in a loaded 2025 NBA Draft. Lauri Markkanen could be next out the door and Sims has shown some potential in limited minutes. Utah could get another young prospect to add to its roster.
A protected first-round pick, a very good second-rounder and a prospect is about the most that the Jazz could expect to get from the Knicks and matches what they are seeking, according to Begley. This would set them up nicely for the future.