When Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler was 18 months old, he spent nearly a week in Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. Now he’s determined to raise money for the hospital so that other kids can be helped as he was at a time when he was “very, very sick,” as his mother puts it.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about Ichiro, C.C. Sabathia and Billy Wagner getting elected to the Hall of Fame, the Dodgers introducing Roki Sasaki and the Braves solidifying their lineup and outfield by signing Jurickson Profar.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a rumored suitor for Utah Jazz's 23-year-old center Walker Kessler from the start of the season. Kessler is a defensive juggernaut who might not fit the Jazz's longtime goal to have a more offensively dynamic center.

The Los Angeles Lakers have inquired on Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler but are reportedly being told the asking price is very high.

The trade rumors surrounding the LeBron James-led LA Lakers and Walker Kessler picked up steam over the past day.

There is legitimate concern about the roster construction of the team now, as well as the potential cap hit Kessler might command down the road.

There is one big thing getting in the way of the Lakers landing Walker Kessler, one of their biggest trade targets.

“Walker Kessler’s elite shot-blocking (2.4 blocks per game) and rebounding (11.5 rebounds per game) would solidify the Lakers’ interior defense, giving Anthony Davis more freedom to roam defensively and revert back to his favored power forward position,” Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar wrote Friday.

Teams are entering the NBA trade deadline with the idea of adjusting their cap situations, while rumors and intel about Jimmy Butler form.

The Utah Jazz are a tough team to negotiate with and committing to a trade with them can be very difficult. When they have their mind made up about one of their stars, they rarely change it. Evan Sidery is reporting that the Jazz’s view of Walker Kessler hasn’t changed and the 23-year-old big man is “not available” for any potential trade this season.

Charania appeared on an episode of First Take, joining Stephen A. Smith, to drop the latest scoops from around the league. After the obligatory Jimmy Butler segment, the pair moved on to the Lakers. Charania offered a strong look into what is happening behind closed doors.

Walker Kessler is in his third season playing for the Utah Jazz. With the Jazz in rebuilding mode, he has been a name mentioned in a lot of trade rumors over t