Jazz rookie laughs about 'long and prosperous' Walker Kessler era in Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS — On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves played a tribute video to welcome back some of their former players.

Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, who both started over 100 games for the Wolves, were included in the small reel, as well as Leandro Bolmaro, who played his first full season in the NBA in Minnesota.

And then there was Walker Kessler, who was in Minnesota long enough to, I dunno, see the arena once? Or to the airport and back?

"The Kessler Era here was an amazing one!" Minnesota coach Chris Finch deadpanned when Kessler's double-double NBA debut was brought up before Friday's contest.

Then Finch got a bit more serious.

"But I was happy to see it to be quite honest. He was a great kid. I loved getting to know him during the process and the short time that he was here," Finch said. "So he's gonna be a really good player in this league, there's no doubt about it."

Short is an understatement.

Kessler didn't even have time to find a place to live or get a car before he was informed his NBA life would actually begin in Utah.

"It was a long and prosperous era," Kessler joked.

After overhearing that, Kelly Oylynk turned to Kessler: "How long were you a Timberwolf for"

"One day," Kessler responded. Then he thought about it for a moment. "Maybe a week. I was here in Minnesota for two days — legit two days."

In all, Kessler was a member of the team for just over a week, at least unofficially. He was traded on draft night to Minnesota from Memphis after being taken with the No. 22 pick (funny enough with the pick, the Jazz traded to the Grizzlies as part of the deal for Mike Conley). Then on July 1, reports surfaced that the Wolves and Jazz had agreed on their blockbuster

"I was already looking at apartments. Thank goodness I didn't buy anything or rent anything," Kessler said. "But yeah, I was looking for it and then got traded. And here I am, on my revenge tour."

Kessler finished with 6 points, five rebounds and four blocks in his "revenge" game in Minnesota.

Even with the odd start to his career, Kessler believes he landed in the right spot.

"I'm so so happy with where I'm at right now. Just like the mountains and the scenery, people are so nice. I'm ecstatic. I'm supposed to be where I'm supposed to be," he said.