Utah
Utah Jazz Have ‘Discussed’ Walker Kessler Trade With Knicks
It seems Utah Jazz could be in the market to move one of their young pieces in a trade, and could have even had some conversations about a deal earlier this summer.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Jazz have “discussed” a trade revolving around 23-year-old center Walker Kessler with the New York Knicks, with the young big man potentially not part of Utah’s “long-term plan”:
“Per multiple sources, Utah has discussed Walker Kessler previously in trade, including a stalled conversation with the New York Knicks. He doesn’t seem part of the team’s long-term plan.”
– Eric Picnus, Bleacher Report
Kessler, who was once named a Rookie of the Year finalist his first year in the league, is coming off of a bumpy sophomore campaign in Utah that was riddled with injury and inconsistency, which has seemingly led to the Jazz poking around to see what they could get on the trade market for him.
The Knicks have been longing for a center ahead of the next NBA season amid their recent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and with Kessler’s prospects looking shaky in Utah, a phone call or two may have been made to try and get his services aboard.
Kessler’s 2023-24 campaign consisted of 64 games where he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks– numbers that look eerily similar to his first year in Salt Lake City. The Auburn product didn’t make his anticipated second-year jump as many had hoped, yet a strong third year with the Jazz could help cement his status on the roster for the foreseeable future.
While talks have stalled around Kessler and the Knicks, the Jazz big man could be entering a make-or-break year for his staying power on the roster. The negotiation window for an extension will open for him next summer, so we likely need to see a bounce-back campaign to help him secure that second contract in Utah.
Continue to keep an eye on Walker Kessler, as he looks to be one of the most intriguing pieces on the Jazz roster across the 2024-25 NBA season.
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Utah
Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers Summer League recap and final score
The Utah Jazz won their final summer league game against the Portland Trail Blazers 83-79. It was a fun game that came down to the wire, with a few Jazz players showing promise that could help the team.
The player who surprisingly didn’t help as much as you’d hope was Blake Hinson, who shot just 1/9 from three. Hinson was a sharpshooter for the Jazz last season, and it’s too bad that he couldn’t show that shooting stroke in the summer league. It’s likely not a big deal, but it would have been nice to see that shooting continue in the summer league. It does make you wonder why all the players who played for Utah last season, or will be getting regular minutes next year, didn’t shoot well in Las Vegas. Is that a trend? Or is it just a coincidence? It makes you wonder if the Jazz have been running hard practices, or if the players are tired from enjoying their time in Las Vegas? There’s no way to really know, but it’s interesting.
Utah’s strongest performer, in terms of plus-minus, was Bez Mbeng. He was a team-leading +14 and, even though he didn’t shoot the ball well either, his defense and intensity really shows on the floor. In this one, Mbeng had 4 steals and handled the ball for a lot of the game. He was also one of the top players in minutes with 20 in this one. I personally really like Mbeng and I’m rooting for him to make the team. I do think he can be a defensive-focused do-it-all player who could really contribute if he keeps improving.
Justin Harmon scored the ball well, leading the team in scoring with a team-leading 21 points. He had 6 free throws in this one and was a positive contributor overall. Harmon could be a nice addition to the training camp roster and, if he can show out, maybe he can earn himself a roster spot. He’s worth watching going forward at the very least.
And with that, the summer league is now over, and we now enter a long summer that will lead into one of the most exciting eras of Jazz basketball I can remember. It will be led by the best prospect in Jazz history to actually suit up for the Utah Jazz, and I can’t wait to see him develop into a superstar wearing the purple and blue.
Utah
Here’s who will lead Utah Valley University as its next president
Jon Anderson will be charged with moving the Orem school forward following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on campus last year.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Incoming UVU President Jon Anderson poses for a photo with his family after an event announcing his selection at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Utah
Beaver County residents set up thousands of sandbags ahead of flashfloods
BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — A massive community effort is underway as volunteers and Beaver County crews distribute thousands of sandbags to protect homes from the potential path of floodwaters.
After the Cottonwood Fires, residents have been waiting for weeks for relief to come in the form of rain, though officials now warn it may come all at once with an increased risk of flooding and debris flow.
Emergency Service Director Les Whitney believes that the fire has left plenty of debris to bring trouble for residents.
“We got a lot of water. We’re bringing debris with it, so tree branches, tree limbs, logs, lots of different size firewood, and that’s all in the creeks. We’re worried about that plugging up our bridges and stuff, so we have heavy equipment and excavators located in strategic places so that we can keep those bridges open,” said Whitney.
An estimated 140 homes and condominiums were spared from the flames, but remain in the paths of floodwaters.
Residents can also pick up sandbags at the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office or at the Beaver County Rodeo Fairgrounds.
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