1. Yes, the Jazz re-signed Clarkson to a 3 yr contract but that was to make him more attractive to another team. They paid him up front and then, these next 2 yrs are on a very team friendly deal. They were absolutely trying to trade him and still are.

2. Kessler would not have helped the Jazz much defensively playing more last year. The Jazz's defensive problems were because the Jazz guards were so bad defensively not the big men. Kessler is great at defending the rim but when opponents play 5 out, he can defend. They did the same thing to Gobert when the Jazz had crappy defensive guards. Kessler is fine when opponents play a big center that can't stretch the floor.

Kessler can't stay on the floor because he's so bad offensively too. Check his stats. His average shot attempt is like 3.4 feet. His FT average is pathetic too ... practically Hack-a-Walter territory. I hope he improves but there is no guarantee on that.

3. The Jazz's defensive problems stem from the fact that Keyonte, Clarkson (et. al.) were both horrible with TOs. The Jazz were LAST in the league in TOs and second to last in Steals. Their opponents were 28th in TOs against them. Bottom line the Jazz give up way too many TOs and don't generate them nearly enough. The Jazz were also last in giving up 3pt shots and last with opponent 3pt pct. That's where your bad defense comes from. Kessler doesn't affect either of those areas much except that he can't guard the 3pt line either.