For the past two seasons, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has been a constant in trade rumors, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers his most noteworthy suitor. This was partially borne from the Knicks looking for a starting-caliber big man before the Karl-Anthony Towns deal and the Lakers desire to add a physical center to a rotation that lacked a traditional bruiser. However, it was also because the Jazz weren’t quite sure Kessler was a long-term fit for their group.
Kessler is now set to become a restricted free agent in 2026 after failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, according to The Athletic reporter Tony Jones. The two sides “have had multiple meetings during the summer concerning a possible extension,” Jones adds. “And the Jazz have put a formal offer on the table. But, the two sides haven’t come relatively close to actually striking a deal.”
Jazz’s Walker Kessler Set To Become RFA After Failed Negotiations
Kessler had a strong 2024-25 campaign, averaging career-highs of 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per game. Despite being in a congested frontcourt, he also managed to tie his career-high of 2.4 blocks per game. Numbers aside, he was more comfortable guarding out in space, which was one of his focuses entering the season. All in all, though Kessler is rather limited in what he can do offensively, he’s a solid and useful player in a vacuum.
The Jazz “highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future,” Jones notes.
However, they do have multiple big men that they’ve invested in. Even with John Collins being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he’s emerged as the starting power forward, there’s 2024 No. 32 pick Kyle Filipowski and 2023 No. 9 pick Taylor Hendricks. Due to how well franchise star Lauri Markkanen plays in a five-out offense, Filipowski and Hendricks’s skillsets are particularly important. It’s also worth mentioning that Filipowski looked like one of the better rookies after the All-Star Break.
Additionally, the Jazz traded for veteran bigs Jusuf Nurkic and Kevin Love this offseason. Neither player is likely to be in Salt Lake City for an extended time. In fact, Love is expected to eventually reach a buyout with the organization. Yet, they both could make Kessler more expendable in the short-term.
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