Tony Jones of The Athletic reported last week that the Jazz and fourth-year center Walker Kessler are not expected to reach an agreement on a rookie scale contract extension before the regular season begins, despite having “multiple meetings”over the summer.
According to Jones, part of the reason a deal hasn’t been reached is because the Jazz are trying to maximize their salary cap flexibility next summer. As a restricted free agent in 2026, Kessler would have a cap hold of just $14.9MM — a potential extension would likely feature a much more lucrative starting salary and would replace that cap hold.
Kessler admitted at Monday’s media day that extension talks haven’t been going the way he’d hoped, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.
“I don’t want to talk about it after today, just because I think during the season … I don’t want it to be a distractor for me or for my teammates,” Kessler said.
“But that being said, I’m definitely a little frustrated with how,” he continued, trailing off before finishing, “… if I don’t (receive an extension).”
Kessler declined to answer when asked if Utah had told him it wouldn’t offer him an extension, Larsen writes. Jones reported that the Jazz did offer the 24-year-old an extension and value him highly, but the two sides weren’t close to an agreement.
According to Larsen, Kessler and his camp are looking for a long-term contract “approaching or perhaps even eclipsing” nine figures.
“I don’t want to negotiate publicly, but we’re big fans of Walker,” president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said. “We’ve talked with him and his people this summer and hope to have him around long term, whether that’s an agreement now or later.”
Despite the uncertain contract situation, Kessler said he loves being in Utah and playing for the Jazz, Larsen adds. The former Auburn and North Carolina big man will earn $4.88MM in 2025/26, which is the final season of his rookie scale deal.
Kessler is EXACTLY who the Warriors need…Kuminga for Kessler?
More Rookie scale extension drama.
Kessler is getting a decent contract next season one way or another. Starting caliber bigs are somewhat scarce these days.
9 digits for Kessler is crazy talk.
Have you seen him play?
He’s a good, not great, player on a terrible, not bad, team.
Slow, cannot shoot (AT ALL!), strong and able to finish in traffic, cannot create his own shot, ok hands, good rebounder.
He’s not a game changing defensive player who drops the shooting % of opposing teams and forces them outside (ala Gobert) he’s a strong get the rebound and block some shots of people who challenge him sort of a center.
NOT the guy you build the team around (not that there is any indication the Jazz are trying to build a team, but with the salary cap rules in the NBA, the Jazz might find an opportunity to snipe some players b/c of having cap space…which cap space they’d loose if they went big on Kessler).
Kessler and Hendricks for Clingan and Reath.
Win win
draft Boozer, trade Lauri if needed to get Boozer. Done. Perfect rebuild Danny. Finished rebuild. Then compete next year
I think Utah would have to give up more in that trade.
I actually agree. I think Kessler is pretty good and Hendricks can be something at PF.
I’m just thinking that Utah has a super young PG, SG, SF, PF (Hendricks but will be Boozer next year) but no young C. That then would be Clingan who is young like Utah’s 1-4 (19-21) and Kessler doesn’t fit that timeline.
They want Boozer next draft. That then gives them a perfect 1-4 next year if they keep everyone but Kessler will be 26 and Clingan 21. Kessler just doesn’t fit Utah’s timeline and Clingan can hopefully be better… hopefully. I would go after Clingan and Boozer if I was Danny. Trade Lauri for a good pick and get Boozer.
Kessler just doesn’t fit the timeline. No what I mean Vern
I totally agree with you on Kessler, but I see Clingan as a budding star, which is why I think Utah would have to give up more. I can’t imagine Portland wanting to move him (unless someone gives up something crazy) since they’re still building up and not looking to contend immediately, especially with Lillard likely out for the season.
@cyruszao, I respect this take because it’s clear you know the Jazz well. He’s a very limited big and he’s just a bit too old for this early rebuilding roster.
Still there have to be a few teams that would really value a true defensive big in this era of Wemby, Jokic, Zubac, etc.
Could you see a 4 year, $68M deal rookie extension?
What would you offer him?
I can see 4/68, I think if you keep the team trade option it works really well for the Jazz. If Kessler wants 100M, it’s far off though.
I’d guess you might be able to get to 4/80 and still be able to use him as a trade asset, but I personally wouldn’t go that far. I think it’s overvaluing his impact. If he could just hit 70% of his FTs you wouldn’t need to pull him out when the game is close (and he’s not Shaq, he’s not going to just back you down and score on you).
@cyruszao, That analysis sounds right. (Belated apologies for my criticism of your John Collins analysis, where I was probably too harsh!)
Utah is not the right place for him at this time, but there may be a few teams that would be attracted to that contract, especially in the West. The trend to smaller, mobile bigs has reversed, and, by my count, 11 of 15 teams have offenses that will exploit size advantages. You will need more than one big that can bang to hang in the West, and at, say, $17M/yr, Kessler would appeal to many teams.
MIN: Gobert, Reid, Randle
HOU: Sengun, Adams, Capela (“Jumbo”)
DEN: Jokic, Valunciunas
LAC: Zubac, Lopez
PHO: Mark Williams, Richards, Malauch
POR: Clingan, Hansen, Reath, Robert Williams
DAL: Davis, Lively, Gafford
OKC: Hartenstein, Holmgren
MEM: Edey, JacksonJr
SAS: Wemby, Kornet, Olynek
NOP: Zion, Missi, Queen
Atleast getting Hartenstein money. Double double machine who is constantly near the top for rim protection. Does a decent job switching on smaller guys too. Kessler would be good around better players.
Maybe a little less with this CBA. $90-100 four years. Example OKC could let Hartenstein walk next off season by not activating the team option. Save themselves $4-6 mil per for a younger better player longer term. Jazz receive the firsts they crave. Needless to say Walker on the Thunder with Chets injury history would be extremely valuable for OKC. Danny just loves them firsts, lols. Or go Davey Js route of Kuminga, lols.
IMO, he’s a big step down from Hartenstein, mainly because Kessler can’t score the ball when he’s defended. For a guy that big, and who has had a lot of great coaching along the way. it’s surprising how little of a back to the basket game Kessler has. Hartenstein has a few go-to moves (including that nice push-shot).
Also Kessler.is not as mobile as Hartenstein, and much more vulnerable on the PnR.
Knicks can offer McBride, Dadiet, Kolek, first-round swaps in ’30 and ’32, and some second-rounders, and take back the terrible Isaiah Collier. Do it, Leon. KAT is a 4.
Kessler is actually a good addition. Especially with Al here. He solidifies Warriors biggest weakness their big depth. Kessler and Al make them a contender imo.
I put it out there on a Jazz thread. Jazz have to want him and with Bailey there. I don’t see it. Have to be a three way.
The likely reason a contract hasn’t been reached is because Ainge really isn’t a fan of his, and other teams would do well to take that assessment into consideration. But, with his size and top line stats, and so many 2k-ish FO’s in looking for his skill set, there is a good chance it will be ignored. Right now, on a good team, I’d value him as the light end of a C tag team who can’t be part of the normal finishing group. While only 24, he’s a below baseline athlete, which, among other things, caps any further upside.
Kessler’s frustration is understandable. His team’s FO has told the World (in trade discussions) that he’s a rising young star C, who teams should bidding in multiple FRPs to get. Then, the same guys have apparently told him (in contract negotiations) that, despite all that, he’s borderline for their rotation going forward.
Their FO must be made up of all the Kuminga haters on here lol. Danny has overpriced him since beginning. And it seems he really doesn’t want him. Go figure.
Love-Haters really. With OKC now a tanking champion, it may take a 3rd generation of Ainges before UTH tries to win games.
> Right now, on a good team, I’d value him as the light
> end of a C tag team who can’t be part of the normal
> finishing group.
Well said. I think we may see more teams with a roster like that, with flexibility to use 2 C’s with complementary profiles. Kessler could get more minutes against teams with more size.
Kessler: meet Danny Ainge.