Rudy Gobert

Ryan Kostecka

Leading up to Monday's showdown against Minnesota, Utah rookie center Walker Kessler wouldn't say if there was any extra motivation going up against his "former" team.

After all, technically Kessler had never suited up for the Timberwolves. He barely had one foot in the door before he was traded as part of a large package to bring Rudy Gobert, the three-time defensive player of the year, to the Twin Cities.

After celebrating a successful season that culminated in just their second playoff appearance in 18 years, Minnesota leaders felt like the team was one move, one player away from being legit title contenders. They set their sights for a rim protector on defense who could set screens and roll to the rim efficiently on offense.&nbsp;

However, the three-time All-Star was locked up with the Jazz for the foreseeable future — and acquiring him was going to take a lot.&nbsp;

The Timberwolves were more than happy to oblige if it meant pairing the best rim protector of the last decade with an already formidable threesome of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and D'Angelo Russell.&nbsp;

So the deal was done; Gobert went to Minnesota, and in return, the Jazz received Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Patrick Beverley, 2022 first-round pick in Kessler, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029, and a pick swap in 2026.&nbsp;

While many in the media focused on Utah's addition of Vanderbilt, Beasley, and Beverley — as well as the picks — lost amongst the shuffle was the only guy who had yet to step on an NBA court.&nbsp;

Taken 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft, Kessler entered the NBA as an elite college shot blocker — but it was assumed he didn't offer much else on the offensive end, at least initially.

Fast forward to the midpoint of this season, and the player who was once considered an afterthought in one of the biggest trades of the last decade looks like a contender to make the All-Rookie team.&nbsp;

"The physical tools that he has allows him to have an opportunity to be successful," head coach Will Hardy said of his rookie big man. "He's shown so much growth on both ends of the floor. I think defense probably comes natural to Walker in a lot of ways, but his ability to learn the offense on the fly has been tremendous."

While his stats may not seem the most impressive as a whole — just nine starts (43 games played) where he's averaging 7.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game — Kessler more than passes when it comes to the eye test and analytics.&nbsp;

His per-36 minutes stats are Gobert-esque; 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks on 71.7% shooting. He leads all rookies in Win Shares, Box Plus-Minus, and Value Over Replacement Player, to name a few. His 2.0 blocks per game rank fourth in the NBA — the only player in the top 10 averaging less than 20 minutes per game.

"It's vital to have a guy that can make plays and be unselfish with it," point guard Mike Conley said of Kessler's offense on Monday. "He's a guy that's big enough to go finish over anybody, but understanding his role for tonight where he's gotta be the guy that finds the open man and make the read. … He was the reason we got back into the game. He's been learning and doing a lot of studying, so he's been really good."

Kessler was sensational against Minnesota, finishing with 20 points, a career-high 21 rebounds, and two blocks for his eighth double-double of the year. He also added four assists, a huge development that he's finally catching up to the speed of the game.

"My teammates found me in the right spots, my teammates did a good job of keeping their guys off the glass, the coaching staff did a great job of game planning. … It was fun," Kessler said. "I think my teammates have done a great job of helping me out. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without them. … Props to them."

Not only did Kessler deliver strong screens during set actions, but he was also active with his screens off broken plays, often doing so to free up shooters. He dove to the rim with purpose, keeping the ball above his head for the finish or kick-out pass.&nbsp;

Lastly, his presence at the rim appeared to scare the Timberwolves away from challenging the 7-footer in the paint. More often than not, Minnesota was forced to kick out to shooters and settle for contested jumpers because they knew what was lurking in the key.

"Obviously tonight with Walker, he was sensational and did so many good things for us, "Hardy added. "Something that will go unnoticed in the box score is that Minnesota blitzed for the majority of the game, and Walker did a fantastic job of getting into the pocket and making some great decisions for us."

As the season continues, Kessler looks like a bonafide NBA center.

While his floor is already that of a defensive game-changer, there continues to be no limit on his ceiling — mainly because he gets better and better week after week.&nbsp;

"It feels good," Kessler said following the win. "Definitely something we can build off of, keep going. … A lot of guys from the Minnesota trade played well, so it feels good."

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"It Feels Good" | Why Walker Kessler Could Be The Steal Of the 2022 NBA Draft

When the Jazz and Timberwolves tipoff on Friday night, it’ll be a night of reunions.&nbsp;

Utah travels to Minnesota for the first time since the massive offseason trade that featured six players, five of whom are still with their teams.&nbsp;

For Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson, Friday’s game will serve as an opportunity to reconnect with the big man from France, Rudy Gobert.&nbsp;

The three of them combined to lead Utah to some of the most successful teams in Jazz history, including multiple playoff appearances, All-Star selections, end-of-season accolades, and much more.&nbsp;

While Conley and Clarkson acknowledge that they’re in Minnesota for one reason — to win — it’ll still be good to reconnect with someone they like on and off the court.&nbsp;

“It’s gonna be dope,” Clarkson said about seeing Gobert on Friday. “I talked to him a lot this summer, watching him at Euro Basketball and texting him, just telling him how proud I am of him. It’s gonna be good to see him, it’s always love.”

“It’ll be fun,” Coney added. “I miss Rudy, it’ll be fun to see him again.”

It’ll be a homecoming of sorts for Jazz players Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, and Walker Kessler — but make no mistake, it’s a business trip as far as they’re concerned

“It’s always good to go back and play where you played,” Vanderbilt said. “There is no friendship aspect when we’re playing. We’ll talk before and after the game, but I treat them just like anyone else on the court. … During the game and I between those lines, it’s war.”

STATSUtah (1-0, 0-0 away / No. 1 Western Conference)Offense*123.0 Points Per Game (No. 4 in NBA)*119.4 Offensive Rating (No. 4 in NBA)Defense*102.0 Points Per Game (No. 3 in NBA)*100.0 Defensive Rating (No. 5 in NBA)

*Collin Sexton: 20.0 points / 5.0 rebounds / 2.0 assists*Lauri Markkanen: 17.0 points / 4.0 rebounds / 4.0 assists / 42.9% 3P-shooting *Malik Beasley: 15.0 points / 5.0 rebounds / 33.3% 3P-shooting*Mike Conley: 13.0 points / 8.0 assists / 2.0 steals / 50% 3P-shooting

Minnesota (1-0, 1-0 home / No. 1 Western Conference)Offense*115.0 Points Per Game (No. 8 in NBA)*109.5 Offensive Rating (No. 11 in NBA)Defense*108.0 Points Per Game (No. 10 in NBA)*100.9 Defensive Rating (No. 6 in NBA)

*Rudy Gobert: 23.0 points / 16.0 rebounds / 66.7% shooting*D’Angelo Russell: 20.0 points / 5.0 rebounds / 2.0 assists / 37.3% 3P-shooting*Jaden McDaniels: 19.0 points / 6.0 rebounds / 3.0 assists / 3.0 steals*Karl-Anthony Towns: 12.0 points / 7.0 assists / 6.0 rebounds

MATCHUP TO WATCH*Mike Conley vs. D’Angelo Russell— With numerous stars on the court Friday night, the battle between Conley and Russell will go a long ways into deciding the outcome. They’re both talented point guards who bare the responsibility of initiating their teams’ respective offenses. Conley is learning a new system but it’s been clear from the start, the way he goes is the way the Jazz do. For Russell, he’s playing with Gobert, one of the best screen setters in the league, and it appears to have unlocked his vast skillset.

INJURY REPORTUtahOUT — Udoka Azubuike (right ankle surgery) DallasNothing To Report

BROADCAST INFORMATIONTime:&nbsp;6:00 p.m. MTLocation:&nbsp;Target Center / Minneapolis, MNTV:&nbsp;AT&T SportsNetRadio:&nbsp;1280 The Zone&nbsp;

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"Between Those Lines, It's War" | It's A Night Of Reunion When Utah Travels To Minnesota

Speaking publicly for the first time since Utah traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota in a massive move, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik explained their rational behind the move and how it sets Utah for an extremely bright future.

"Some of these opportunities that come up are hard, but given the amount of return and how motivated Minnesota was, it was just something that we all had to get together as a group and decide, 'Hey, this is something that we need to do for the organization,'" Zanik said of the trade on Saturday.

The return for Gobert was considered monumental, with Utah receiving Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to Walker Kessler, future draft picks and a draft swap.

Following the trade, many experts around the league believed Ainge and Zanik were embarking on a full rebuild — especially considering it meant that Utah's championship window with two all-stars in Gobert and Donovan Mitchell (and recently departed head coach Quin Snyder) had officially ended.

"The team fell short, we fell short," Zanik said. "So we need to recalibrate and try to go and open up the next window. … And hopefully, it's a long window."

The Jazz are retooling their roster by getting younger, more athletic, and with significantly more assets — all while focusing on building around Mitchell, a budding superstar.

"I'm not trying to be cryptic or anything else, but Donovan is on our roster," Zanik said. "He's a very, very important part of what we're trying to do. Things evolve in the NBA. … So I couldn't sit here and say anybody is (untouchable). We're trying to build a championship team, but there's no intent (to trade him) at all."

Part of this new direction was the hire of Will Hardy, a 34-year-old first-time head coach — a move supported by Mitchell.

"Donovan has been very supportive of all of the things that we're doing," Zanik said. "He has a previous relationship with coach Hardy as well from Team USA. … So we've been in contact with both him and his representatives, kind of keeping them up to date, and we'll continue to do so."

While the Jazz fully expect to build around Mitchell, it doesn't mean that changes won't come from their three-time all-star.

Drafted as a 3-and-D shooting guard, Mitchell has become more than that. An elite scorer capable of getting a bucket whenever he wants, he's also a proven playmaker — a move that Ainge fully expects to build on.

"We have talked about that a lot," Ainge said. "He has played some one. He played some last year at times when Mike was out of the game. Him evolving into a one will make him a better player, whether he is the actual full-time one or a part-time one."

Make no mistake though, the offseason is far from over from Utah's perspective.

"We're still in free agency and the offseason, so we're going to look at every opportunity," Zanik said. "We still have a couple roster spots open and, obviously, the evaluation of Summer League and any other opportunities that come up to continue to do what we can to balance and improve the roster.

With many roster spots still available, the Jazz know that there are moves to be made — but that doesn't mean they will be rushed in making them.

"We're happy with a lot of the guys that are coming in from Minnesota, and I think they all can contribute in some way," Zanik said. "We'll see how it goes, but it's kind of we're in the middle of it right now."

The trade was just the start of what could be an exciting and thrilling future — one full of options, possibilities, and most of all… hope.

"The draft wasn't very much fun. … Free agency wasn't very much fun," Ainge said. "You're over the tax, no draft picks, and our team loses in the first round. … It wasn't fun for us. We want it to be fun for our fans and for our players, but we just haven't had much flexibility to do anything over the last little while."

"What it does is allows you to have a lot of very interesting conversations with teams calling because of just the flexibility that you have," Zanik added. "You have a chance to talk about different concepts or deals — both now and really for the next five or six years. Our goal is to continue to add primary players and build a base that has a chance to be competitive and win a title down the road. … So those assets allow you different pathways to accomplish that; whether you're selecting or you're moving those picks on for other players."

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"Open Up The Next Window" | Utah Focused On Bright Future With Multiple Options

When Rudy Gobert arrived in Utah in 2013, few knew what to make of the big man from Saint-Quentin, France.

Already gifted with incredible physical attributes — setting NBA draft combine records for wingspan (7 feet 8½ inches) and standing reach (9 feet 7 inches) — there was significant reason for optimism.

Not only did Gobert live up to the expectations, he surpassed them by becoming one of the&nbsp; best defenders in NBA history.&nbsp;

"When I'm out there, I'm not guarding one guy. I'm guarding the whole team," Gobert said. "It's hard to understand for some guys. … They get used to just being able to impact one guy at a time. I'm trying to guard a whole team."

Nine seasons later, Gobert leaves Salt Lake City's snow-capped mountains as part of a two-team trade between the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gobert is being sent to the Wolves in return for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to Walker Kessler, future draft picks and a draft swap, pending the outcome of successful physicals.

Beasley and Beverley are the veterans of the trade, two players with a significant amount of experience who could help immediately. Beasley’s 2.7 threes per game off the bench last season were tied for most by a reserve in the NBA, while Beverley’s tenacity on defense were the heart-and-soul of Minnesota’s playoff run.

Kessler and Vanderbilt are two very promising bigs who could carve out roles with the Jazz as they continue to develop. Vanderbilt is coming off a career-best season after averaging 6.9 points, 8.4 boards, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 25.4 minutes per game, while Kessler averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks two years ago at Auburn before being selected in the first round last year.

Bolmaro, entering his season season in the league, began his professional career in 2017 and should provide good depth with his 6-foot-6 size.

Throughout his nine-year career with the Jazz, Gobert was a four-time All-NBA player, three-time All-Star, was named a six-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member , and most impressively, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner — which is tied for second-most all-time.

"I'm just gonna keep trying to be the best Rudy I can be, on and off the court. … And for my team,” he said. "When you're great at what you do, the world will recognize you for who you are and what you do. … That's my mindset." 

He's coming off the best statistical season of his career where he averaged 15.6 points, a career-high 14.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He posted career-highs in shooting with 71.3 percent from the floor and 69.0 percent from the free throw line.

​“Rudy Gobert had a huge impact on this franchise and the entire state of Utah during his nine seasons with the Jazz,” said Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith. “One of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, Rudy will forever be considered one of the most significant players to wear a Jazz uniform. His love for and impact on this community are impossible to overstate. He fully embraced this state, especially through his Rudy’s Kids Foundation. Rudy will forever be a part of us. We wish him all the best in this next stage of his career. Once a Jazzman, always a Jazzman.”

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