Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has expressed some frustration over his contract situation as the team prepares to open training camp.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that the Jazz will not extend the center before the Oct. 20 deadline for fourth-year players.
“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 Monday.
“But that being said, I’m definitely a little frustrated with how,” Kessler said, trailing off before finishing, “... if I don’t (receive an extension).”
Kessler and his representation are seeking a long-term extension that would keep the 7-foot shotblocker in Utah and secure a large payout approaching or perhaps even eclipsing $100 million over the course of the deal.
But the Jazz seem unlikely to give Kessler such a deal, in large part because signing him to such an extension would reduce the amount of cap space they have available in the summer of 2026. Right now, Kessler’s cap hold for the offseason stands at $14.6 million. But if he were to sign an extension, the annual average value of that contract at $20 million or $25 million would be the new cap hold.
If Kessler does not sign an extension before the October deadline, he would then become a restricted free agent in 2026. Under NBA rules, any of the 30 teams could offer him a new contract, but the Jazz would retain matching rights on any deal given to him.
When Kessler was asked if the Jazz had told him they weren’t going to offer him an extension, he declined to answer the question. “I’m not going to speak on anything else about that stuff,” Kessler said. “All I’m gonna say is what I said.”
“I don’t want to negotiate publicly, but we’re big fans of Walker,” Jazz 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.”
Kessler has received significant trade interest around the league, most notably from the Los Angeles Lakers, who continue to need a rim-running center to put next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Jazz’s asking price is said to be high for Kessler.
The center, who played at Auburn and North Carolina in his collegiate career, said he is enjoying his time in Utah, however long it may last.
“Regardless, you know, I love Utah. I love the fan base. I love my teammates, I love the coaches, and I, as long as I have a Utah Jazz jersey on, I will play winning basketball,” Kessler said.
Head coach Will Hardy has Kessler in his plans for the 2025-26 season. When asked about the team’s defense, Hardy listed Kessler as a player who could stand to improve.
“Walker has a great shot blocking mentality, but I need, and we need, his overall defensive nature to improve. It’s not about being a great shot blocker, it’s about being a great defensive player, and those two things can be different,” Hardy said. “I think Walker has shown signs of being an elite defender in our league, but it needs to take a step up, and the perimeter players need to get on board with that.”
