Despite having held “multiple meetings”over the summer, 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, sources inform Tony Jones of The Athletic.
Utah has put a formal offer on the table for Kessler, but hasn’t come close to agreeing to terms, per Jones. If the two sides don’t agree to a deal this fall, the seven-footer will reach restricted free agency next summer.
As Jones explains, the Jazz value Kessler’s skill set, viewing him as one of the top defenders at his position in the league and an important part of their future. However, holding off an extension for the time being will benefit the team from a salary cap perspective.
As a restricted free agent in 2026, Kessler would have a cap hold of just $14.9MM. Since any extension would likely feature a much more lucrative starting salary, completing a deal now would limit Utah’s cap flexibility next offseason.
The Lakers, who have expressed interest in Kessler in the past, are among the teams on track to have cap room available next offseason, Jones observes. With rival suitors potentially lurking, Jones suggests that Utah’s front office may want to prepare a number it’s comfortable with and have an offer ready for its starting center at the beginning of free agency in 2026.
With Kessler poised to play major minutes on a tanking team, a spike in production is a possibility. In 58 healthy bouts last season, the 24-year-old out of Auburn averaged a career-best 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals per game.